Diego, you've been playing pétanque since you were four years old. With all these titles under your belt, what motivates you to return to the boules court? How do you feel when you step onto a boules court?

I am first and foremost a player. I grew up with pétanque. I became a man with pétanque, and that's why pétanque is my whole life. I play to win. Winning a competition, let's face it, also means winning money. It's the same in my everyday life, I'm a competitor. Now, competitions and traveling allow me to discover new places, visit cities, and spend weekends with friends. That aspect is important. 

Photo credit: Diego Rizzi officiel

How does one become a world champion in pétanque? Did you work hard, or do you rely on an exceptional gift, an extraordinary dexterity that has earned you the nickname “extraterrestrial”?

I became world champion through perseverance. The first step is to be selected for the national team. It's tough because you're not alone, especially in the first year! When I was very young, I played a lot without thinking too much about it. I alternated between games of pétanque and soccer with my friends, sometimes even all night long. Around the age of 17/18, I began to understand that beyond the game, there were other perspectives to consider. A game of pétanque is not won solely on dexterity. Mental strength, strategy, and technique can weigh heavily in a game, perhaps even in a single end, and make you win or lose. There's also your interpersonal skills with your partners when you play in doubles or triples. All of this matters and must be taken into consideration.

Photo credit: Diego Rizzi officiel

Of all your titles, which one is the most important to you and why?

Each of the titles I have won is important. However, the first one is significant because it is the culmination of your work and recognition of it by others. I am a shooter and I must admit that my first World Precision Shooting Championship title remains, in my eyes, an important and revealing title.

Photo credit: Diego Rizzi officiel

Which do you prefer, the single, the double, or the triple, and why?

For me, the triple is: 

The Holy Grail

Photo credit: Diego Rizzi officiel

Beyond competitive victories, what does pétanque bring you on a personal level? Do you enjoy playing with your family, and if so, why?

I was 3 years old when my maternal grandparents took me for a walk to two boules courts. And there, I started throwing my first boules while laughing. For my 4th birthday, I received a set of boules for children (500/600 g). That's when I started throwing every day. Today, my parents no longer play; they watch me. And my girlfriend does the same. She follows me and doesn't really want to play anymore. I admit that I appreciate her presence and that it's a great joy to be followed by people who love you, especially family.

Photo credit: Diego Rizzi officiel

Have you ever faced a female pétanque champion head-to-head? If so, what do you remember about that encounter? If not, what do you think about women's pétanque?

No, the opportunity hasn't arisen. Now, I think women's pétanque is progressing rapidly, both here and around the world. There are many more female competitors than before, which is very positive for the image and future of pétanque and women's championships. In Asia, it has taken a big step forward, as it has in Europe. Mixed pétanque is also progressing, which is important!

With all these competitions, how much time do you spend at home and away? Have you found a balance between your life as a champion and your private life?

In fact, during the summer, it's complicated with the high pace of competitions. On the other hand, from October to the end of May, it's fine. I'm often at home. During the peak competition periods, for two weeks of competition, you have three or four days at home, which is tiring. The competition schedule requires you to preserve your mental and physical strength. The competition schedule is demanding and requires traveling a lot of miles. In September, I'm always tired. For me, it's the most difficult time of the year. Unfortunately, the championships happen at that time.

As for my private life, the first year was difficult. I was away during the week and at weekends. I was afraid of no longer being able to distinguish between professional travel and my private life. At the time, I didn't want to play every weekend; I wanted to keep one weekend a month free. Although I manage things better now, the balance between pétanque and my private life remains complicated.

Crédit photo : Diego Rizzi officiel

Is it a pleasure to always be on the move, or would you like to lighten your busy schedule?

Both! Now, you have to know what you want, without forgetting that you get nothing for nothing. 

Many players say that they don't earn enough money playing pétanque. Is this true for you? Do you have any complaints or suggestions on this subject? How important is money in your career as a player?

I'm not going to complain because there are many people I meet on the circuit who don't earn much. But it's a fact: pétanque champions don't earn enough money!

Money is important for all athletes to earn so they can approach the season in the right frame of mind. Life is becoming more and more expensive, and you have to think about the financial aspect of your career. With pétanque, you don't have the kind of contracts that soccer players or basketball stars can get. There are several reasons for this. The image of pétanque needs to change in the minds of the general public in order to attract more media and sponsors. Pétanque as a sport for old people, the boules courts and their refreshment bars, alcohol consumption, sponsorship—these are all areas that need to be improved today for the image of the sport, as do the impromptu rule changes that generate distortions, disagreements, and questions about their objectives. Once and for all, rules must be established and maintained. Federations, professional (or semi-professional) players, and clubs must work together to move in the right direction.

Personally, I still dream of seeing pétanque included in the Olympic Games program.

It deserves it in many ways.

You often change your set of boules. Is there a particular reason for this? Can you tell us more?

That's not entirely true. I mainly play with two different sets of boules. The choice often depends on the condition of the terrain. 

Passion, Performance, Conviviality, Sharing, Transmission, Evolution, Record: which of these words do you prefer and why?

I find it very difficult to choose one over the others. All of these words beautifully sum up what pétanque means to me. If I had to choose one that I like less than the others, it would probably be “Record” because it seems to me to be the least important. Of course, I am proud to be joint holder of the world record for precision shooting with 67 points. However, I find in all the other words the values that led me to become a pétanque player and to build my life around playing this sport at the highest level. 

Finally, do you have a message for all young pétanque players, or for those who don't play yet?

As I said at the beginning of this interview, I started playing pétanque with my friends and then discovered all the values expressed above. No matter what happens, the important thing is to try, to start without any preconceived ideas. You have to think about having fun and then, to improve, accept that it takes time and be patient. Champions aren't made in a day. But perhaps the most important thing is this: no two games of pétanque are ever the same! Playing pétanque is about having fun, learning, meeting people, making friends, sharing your passion, or just having a good time. 

Illustration : Elham Mbeygi

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