Vanbauce: Fresh start after Seurin split in padel
At the FIP Silver in Narbonne, Thomas Vanbauce fought hard against a strong Argentine duo that would later reach the final. Despite defeat, the Frenchman leaves the court feeling he competed at the right level – and with clarity about his situation: the split from Julien Seurin, the brief trial with Philemon Raichman and his unchanged main goal, the French national team.
A frustrating but encouraging defeat in Narbonne
Facing a very experienced Argentine pairing, including Franco Dal Bianco, Vanbauce knew the draw was no gift. Yet he highlights the level shown and the ability to push a team of that quality.
"It played very well. I'm very happy with the match. We really enjoyed playing teams like that. That's what we want," he says. The biggest regret concerns the second set: "In the second we lose our way tactically. As soon as one of us loses the thread, we both drift." In the third set the pair fought back: "It was a tough battle. We had what it took, but we fell just short."
The end of the partnership with Julien Seurin
The 2026 season start was marked by the split from Julien Seurin after several months together. The decision was not driven by personal issues, but by a collective loss of confidence in decisive moments.
"With Julien we really hoped we would work well together. Our playing styles were complementary," Vanbauce says. The problem was the accumulation of narrow defeats: "Easily every second match ended 6-4 or 7-5 in the third set. When that keeps happening, you lose confidence." What mattered was mistrust in the pair as a unit, not in the partner. "In hot phases I wanted to create things. He was perhaps more conservative. We no longer matched in what we wanted." Seurin soon won an FIP title with Johan Bergeron – Vanbauce wishes him well and is now searching for the right pairing himself.
The trial with Philemon Raichman
After the split, Vanbauce wanted to play with a right-hander again. His first choice was Yoan Boronad, who was unavailable. He then tested with Philemon Raichman in Bandol – but the chemistry did not click.
"I'm in a phase where things need to work quickly. We're in the middle of the season – I don't have two months to build chemistry that isn't there from the start," he explains. Vanbauce drew a clear line and spoke to Raichman early rather than dragging the partnership out.
French partners and a new chapter
For several seasons Vanbauce has played mostly with French partners – a conscious choice linked to the national team project. "My number one goal is the national team. For that you need to be able to play with French players," he stresses. He recalls successes with Maxime Joris and strong relationships with Dylan and Johan Bergeron.
At the same time the Bordeaux native feels a need to individualise: "I want to focus on myself, my project, my ambitions and my level of play." In that logic he is starting with Spaniard Lucas Miranda – including a wildcard at the P2 in Bordeaux.
A place in the French national team
The national team remains the heart of his ambitions. Vanbauce has been called up for the preparation camp run by Pablo Ayma and Yann Auradou in Vichy – an important step before World Championship selection. "Maxime Joris is really the player you want in the team. He raises his game every time," he says.
The final selection comes in September before the French Championships. Players who miss the camp can still be considered if summer results convince.
Premier Padel from a different angle
Vanbauce follows Premier Padel, but his view has shifted. "I used to watch a huge amount. Today a bit less" – finals often feel repetitive to him, even though he praises the latest match with Chingotto's injury and the resilience of Coello and Tapia. He is more drawn to match-ups like Leo Augsburger against top teams. He cites Javi Garrido and Augsburger as references – elements he wants to weave into his own identity.
A busy summer before the big dates
After Bordeaux, Vanbauce's schedule also depends on the national team calendar. Marnes-la-Coquette in early September and the French Championships are ahead – where he will meet Julien Seurin again after reaching the semi-finals together last year. Roland-Garros remains on the radar, depending on a wildcard and a French partner.
With Lucas Miranda by his side, renewed confidence from Narbonne and the call-up to Vichy, Thomas Vanbauce is working on the project he spelled out himself: focusing again on himself, his ambitions and his game.
