A real P500 in a center where you can’t “blame the conditions”
The stage is set: Roissy, a recent indoor complex, high ceilings, fast court, an “okay, today we own it” vibe. In short, the kind of place where you can’t play the “yes, but the light / the wind / the humidity” card… because everything is designed for playing in good conditions.
And what about the level? We’re at a P500 that takes no prisoners: hard hitting, fast moves to the net, and every hesitation is punished. The kind of tournament where you can feel like the “warm-up king” and… come back down to earth within the first two games.
Romain Sichez: on-court coaching without turning you into a robot
Romain arrives (a bit late, “Paris traffic jam”… classic), but above all, he arrives with a simple idea: if you want to reach the next level, you need benchmarks. Not 42 theories. Clear, applicable benchmarks and a mindset that holds up when things heat up.
In the video, he also talks about his experience on tour and playing back-to-back FIP tournaments, while the vlog builds an upcoming “FIP project.” For context, the CUPRA FIP Tour stages take place all year round, with tournaments all over Europe and beyond.
Tips that change a match
1) The smile: the most underrated mental hack
First message: “I want you to have fun.” Said like that, it sounds like a poster slogan. Except in a tournament, you quickly see the difference between playing tense (and making “unforced” faults on the fences/glass) and playing relaxed (and making better choices). Smiling between points is a switch: it cuts the panic mode and lets you breathe again.
2) The warm-up routine (even if you’re in the “let’s just hit” camp)
A great moment: the debate over mats, resistance bands, massage guns… versus “we’re just going to hit some balls.” Jokes aside, the idea is serious: arriving a bit early, doing two or three minutes of activation, then touching the ball gets you into your tournament. And it avoids that first set where you’re playing “cold.”
- 2–3 minutes of simple activation (shoulder/hip mobility)
- a few easy volleys to get a feel for the ball
- two or three lobs and returns to calibrate length
3) Slow down: yes, even if you love playing at 12,000 mph
The turning point of the match is when they stop matching the opponent’s tempo. Instead of accelerating everything, they settle down, play lower, aim for the feet, and take back the net at the right time. Translation: you don’t win by going “faster.” You win by being “more accurate.”
4) The x3 (x3) with a bit more “kick”
A very concrete technical point: if you have a high ball and time to get under it, the focus is on relaxing the wrist to give it more spin. The goal isn’t a predictable flat smash, but an x3 that kicks off and becomes a nightmare to defend.
5) When returning, remember: the pressure shifts
Simple but valuable advice: when returning, it’s often the server who has something to lose. You can take smart risks, put the other person under pressure, and accept a fault if the intent is right. This avoids the “timid” return that gives away an easy point.
6) The volley: toes, contact, and a bit more bite
The final diagnosis is clear: at the net, watch out for neutral volleys that “float.” The idea: be more active, more forward-leaning, and look for a volley that puts the opponent in difficulty (without necessarily going for an immediate winner). And a stinging detail: “I just realized I’m never on my toes.” That’s the kind of realization that’s worth a whole tournament.
Why you should watch this video
- because the tips are given in real-time, under the pressure of a real match
- because the atmosphere stays light (a nice change from overly academic analyses)
- because you come away with simple ideas to test in your next tournament
If you want coaching “in the heat of the action,” the rallies, the tactical adjustments, and the little life moments that make a vlog, the video is right here: P500 with Romain Sichez – THE WIN ???
Bonus: if you like following “adventures” in short format, the creator mentions his socials: @albano_padel and TikTok: albanopadel and to follow Romain Sichez: @romainsichez and YouTube @RomainSichez.
