In Bandol, the tennis club is preparing to host the "FIP Silver" until Sunday

The TC de Bandol (TCB) event continues to grow in power. "In 2023, we held a men's P1500, the second category of national tournament in France ," recalls Hugo Donne, tournament director. "We wanted to move up in FIP classification. We made the request, and thanks to the success of our previous tournaments, it was accepted." This year, the Bandol event is thus classified "FIP Silver", the second most prestigious behind Gold and ahead of Bronze .

From just under a hundred participants last year, the tournament has grown to more than 200 this year. "It's huge ," continues Hugo, impressed by the appeal of an event he co-directs with his father Frédéric, president of the TCB. "Last summer, the best men's players were ranked around 80th in the world. This year, it's the top 50 in the world."

On the women's side, most of the participants are ranked between ^35th and ^100th in the world, confirming an even higher level than a year ago.

Undeniably, the seaside resort's Mediterranean climate plays a role in the tournament's appeal. And the "center court" installed in the Bandol port last August had attracted a lot of attention on social media.

"The second year is always easier to attract, especially after a successful first. There's also the fact that we brought the date forward, from August to June," explains Hugo Donne.

The TCB tournament thus avoids the competition experienced last year with other events in Italy or Belgium. This year, Bandol takes the European spotlight alone. "An event was planned in Portugal but it was canceled... and we got their entries back," rejoices the Varois.

"The example" Carla Touly

And the event also benefits the club: "The tournament has helped us gain recognition. "Ordinary" people have joined thanks to it, and we've seen an increase in the number of members."

And choice recruits like Lyon's Carla Touly , victorious last year in the Bandol port. "She will defend her title in our colors, with her partner ," explains Hugo Donne. "It's not going to be easy: she is seeded number 9 whereas, ten months ago, she was number 2."

Already very popular, the TCB meeting is determined to become a must-see.

1. International Padel Federation.

Game, set, and match! Today marks the start of the FIP Silver in Bandol. The Var event has now joined the secondary world padel circuit, in the Silver category.

"This is the second category of FIP tournament: we have moved up a level ," explains Hugo Donne, director of the event. "Given the scale of our previous organizations, we had in the back of our minds to organize an FIP."

France has only five FIPs in France this year: Mondeville (Bronze, in January), Narbonne (Silver, in July), Paris (Silver, in September) and Lyon (Platinum, in October), in addition to Bandol.

The Bandol event has a prize of 20,000 euros, 20% of which goes to the winners.

From the port to the Deferrari stadium

Another notable change is that the "center court" built (and appreciated) last year in the Bandol port has been moved to the André-Deferrari football stadium. "The temporary pitch is now by the sea," explains Frédéric Donne, president of TC de Bandol. "We made this choice for the well-being of the players ," his son Hugo explains . "Last year, we were in a public square and there were no changing rooms or toilets reserved for the players, who had to mix with the spectators."

Qualifying rounds take place today and tomorrow. And the show will continue until Sunday, the day of the semifinals and finals.

As a more prestigious category, the quality of the participants is also being revised upwards.

Among the 39 women's pairs and 70 men's teams (compared to 16 and 32 respectively last year), the Spanish specialists will obviously be there with, for the women, Maria Eulalia Rodriguez Abajo ( ^35th in the world), Melania Merino Saez ( ^42nd ) and, for the men, Alvaro Lepero ( ^38th in the world), Teodoro Zapata ( ^40th ), Gonzalo Rubio ( ^42nd )...

And the cream of the crop is also there with the two French number ones Léa Godallier ( ^56th in the world) and Thomas Leygue ( ^89th )... without forgetting the now Bandolaise Carla Touly ( ^81st ), title holder, or the Pradétan Maxime Joris ( ^160th ).

Clément, Hanouna, Saint-André, Wiltord... in the stands

Celebrity fans of the sport will also be taking their seats in the stands. Among them are former professional tennis player Arnaud Clément (Australian Open finalist and world ^number 10 in 2001), presenter Cyril Hanouna, former Toulon Rugby Club coach Philippe Saint-André, and former French international footballer Sylvain Wiltord (92 caps), who has since become a padel instructor.

The Bandol Tennis Club also has a padel section. It's also ambitious on the national stage. Through interclub competitions (one weekend each year), it has the opportunity to showcase its women's and men's teams.

The women's team now plays in Nationale 1, the highest national level. "Last year, they were in N2. The club has a strong desire to develop this team as much as possible," emphasizes Hugo Donne.

For their first year in the elite, the Bandolaises were no walk-on players: "In January, we finished fourth in the French championships. Eight teams were entered, we're happy with the result."

The team's ranks are well-stocked, with several players from the French top 20: Carla Touly ( ^81st in the world), Mélissa Martin ( ^157th ), Steffi Merah ( ^167th ) and Marie-Amélie Dardaine ( ^207th ).

"Go for the title of French champion"

And the FIP Silver in Bandol could be the opportunity to repeat the "coup" achieved last year with Lyonnaise and now Bandolaise Carla Touly. "This year, there is an ambition to recruit to try to win the title of French champion," specifies Hugo Donne.

In the men's division, the team is in the lower tier, in N2. Here too, the FIP is an opportunity for the club. "It will also be a time to see players. It's a recruitment moment ," concludes Hugo Donne. "We also want to develop the men's section this year."