Magaly Schaffo, a 43-year-old competitive athlete, has transitioned from tennis to padel, discovering a new passion and opportunity for growth. With a background in tennis, having played since age 5 and achieving a ranking of 2/6, Schaffo was drawn to padel's potential for improvement. Her journey began when she and her husband acquired Tennispro.fr, an online sports equipment store, which expanded to include padel gear. Schaffo tried the sport and was hooked.
Schaffo's decision to take up padel was motivated by a desire for a new challenge and a chance to progress again. She notes that, in tennis, she had reached a plateau, whereas padel offered a fresh start. Her competitive spirit and determination drive her to improve, particularly in areas such as defense and footwork. Schaffo's style of play, characterized by her right-handedness and preference for attacking, has been adapted to suit padel.
Family plays a significant role in Schaffo's life, with her husband and two sons, aged 12 and 14, sharing her passion for padel. The family often spends weekends playing together on the courts, and they have even started competing in tournaments as a team. Schaffo looks forward to a future where her sons may surpass her skills, joking that they will soon be too good to play with.
In August 2025, Schaffo's family relocated to Mauritius, marking a new chapter in her life. A year later, she is set to represent Mauritius in the Island Padel Cup on the French island of Réunion. Schaffo is honored to wear the Mauritian jersey, acknowledging the responsibility and excitement that comes with it.
The Island Padel Cup will be a challenging experience for Schaffo and her teammates, as they face a strong Réunion team featuring Anna-Blue Houareau and Elisa Guiraud. Schaffo recognizes the opponents' superior level but is eager for the competition, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and solidarity in achieving their goal.
Schaffo's approach to the tournament is centered around collective effort, aiming to work together with her teammates to secure the Island Cup. Her experience in tennis has provided a solid foundation for her padel career, but she is aware that this new sport requires continued learning and adaptation.
As Schaffo prepares to take on the best players from Réunion, she remains committed to her core values of perseverance and determination. Her journey from tennis to padel has been driven by a desire for progress and competition, and she is now poised to represent Mauritius on the international stage.
Key points
- Magaly Schaffo, 43, is set to represent Mauritius in the Island Padel Cup, marking a new chapter in her sporting career.
- Schaffo's transition from tennis to padel has been driven by a desire for a new challenge and opportunity for growth.
- The Island Padel Cup will be a challenging experience for Schaffo and her teammates as they face a strong Réunion team.
