Partnerships in modern padel shift nearly as fast as tournaments. The fans and the spectacle ultimately suffer since it’s difficult to get enthused about a pair that barely lasts a few weeks. Projects are getting shorter and individual rankings are taking primacy. The best player of all time, Fernando Belasteguin, wished to share his viewpoint amid this spectacle.
A Couple’s Sport, Not an Individual One
Belasteguin made a strong statement regarding the changing nature of the sport in an interview with Manu Martin:
Padel is allegedly an individual sport that is played in couples, according to recent rumors. I have consistently thought of it as a sport for couples.
His long-held beliefs and dedication to the fundamentals of padel as a team sport are shown in this statement.
Give the couple more importance than the player.
The legendary Pehuajo player went into further detail, stating that he has made an effort to put the team’s needs ahead of his own. He clarified:
“You put ego aside and work so that the team can perform at its best.”
A Visual Illustration of Teamwork
Belasteguin added a striking example from his playing days with Juan Martin Diaz to support his argument:
“It wouldn’t matter if I had to share a lesser-known performance with Juan Martin. It’s a team sport, so we’d both win. That has somewhat vanished.
These observations highlight Bela’s worry that padel is straying from its essential principles, and his appeal to maintain the spirit of cooperation serves as a pertinent reminder for both players and enthusiasts.