It’s going to be a very different autumn for French women’s padel. For five seasons, Alix Collombon and Léa Godallier have locked up the French Championships with rare authoritatively: five appearances together, five consecutive titles. The last final, won in 2025 against Jessica Ginier-Barbier and Carla Touly, was a further reminder of their ability to handle dips in play, changes of tempo and the pressure of an anticipated match.
Godallier / Touly, a direct response to a new hierarchy
Alix Collombon’s announced withdrawal from the national event changes everything. The Lyonnaise, a historic reference on the French padel scene, has opted to concentrate her efforts on the international on tour circuit. For the French title race, this not only creates a vacancy: it also shatters the pair that served as the yardstick for all the others.
Against this backdrop, the Godallier / Touly combination seems the most logical and solid. Godallier remains an established figure in the French top flight, with extensive experience of major tournaments. Touly, on the other hand, is already familiar with the pressure of a national final, and has the profile of a player capable of absorbing tempo, defending from the baseline and getting back into the match quickly.
The answer to the central question is therefore quite clear today: yes, Godallier and Touly are the natural favourites for the 2026 French Championships. Not because it’s a foregone conclusion, but because their combination of status, experience, international level and shared first references makes them a natural choice.
A pair already tested in 2026
This duo is not starting from scratch. In January, at the P2000 in Bordeaux, Godallier and Touly won the title as top seeds. Their victory over Clara Mansart and Marie Rondot in the final was the first indication that the pair know how to hold their ground, even when the second set gets a little tight.
Complementarity will be one of the key points. Godallier brings his weight on the ball, his international experience and his ability to hurt on the left diagonal, between bandeja control, smash x3 and change of pace. Touly offers stability, a fine reading of trajectories and a useful presence in long defense phases. On paper, the balance is coherent.
However, we’ll need to turn this status into a certainty. Being favourites is no guarantee, especially in a short national competition where pairs often arrive with automatisms they’ve been working on for several months. The women’s draw could also benefit from this reshuffle: behind Godallier / Touly, several players now have an additional reason to believe.
A title that would count differently
The French Seniors 2026 Championships will be held from October 2 to 4. Thirty-two women’s pairs and thirty-two men’s pairs are expected to compete for the national title. For Godallier, the challenge will be to contract extension of his reign in a new configuration, without Collombon at his side. For Touly, the opportunity is immense: a first French championship title after having already reached the final.
Bordeaux’s first signal has already been integrated into the season, notably in our analysis of Marie Rondot’s return. It now remains to be seen whether this momentum will carry through to October, against opponents who know that the door to the national title looks more open than it has for a long time.
To remember:
- Godallier / Touly are the new favourite pair for the 2026 French Championships.
- Alix Collombon’s withdrawal completely revives the French women’s hierarchy.
- Their victory at the Bordeaux P2000 has already given this association sporting weight.
