Lucas Bergamini: Injury, tensions with Navarro? He reflects on the match against Aguirre and Alfonso

Le Brésilien, 16th player in the world, currently present at USA for the Miami P1, where he qualified for the quarter-finals alongside Paquito Navarro, will meet the world number 1s. He spoke at the microphone of Padel Review following the match against Tolito Aguirre et Gonzalo Alfonso, in a tense atmosphere!

Injured in the sixteenth against Aguirre / Alfonso

The pair Bergamini / Navarro had to fight for his first round at Miami P1 facing tough opponents, the Argentinians Tolito Aguirre et Gonzalo Alfonso, who remained on two titles in FIP and two finals in Premier Padel. A victory in 2h30 of play, at the end of three sets: 7/6 3/6 6/2. A match won in pain, notably physical for Bergamini, who felt discomfort in his left leg during the meeting.

“Yesterday, at the end of the second set, I felt some discomfort, like a pinch or a tightness. I didn't know if it was a muscle tear or a cramp, but I felt a pain in my left thigh that started to hamper me a little. In the end, I didn't know exactly what it was and I was afraid to move. The more I pushed, the more it pulled. Fortunately, with the help of the physiotherapist, I was able to recover a little. […] Over time, the pain spread to my right thigh as well. If you look closely, I avoided playing too close to the net so as not to force it. I also adapted my shots.”

A pain that raised questions about the rest of the competition. Qualified for the round of 16, the 7th pair in the world had to face the pair 14 of the tournament, composed of Lucas Campagnolo et Maximilian Sanchez. A victory in two sets (6/3 7/6), which allows them to reach the quarter-finals for a very tough duel against Coello et Wall.

“Two very solid players (Campagnolo and Sanchez), especially on a slow court. I think we adapted to the court conditions better than our opponents. […] Here, we have to adjust some shots. For example, I had to modify my bandeja to give it more spin and prevent it from bouncing too much. […] We played well in the first set, but we wasted several opportunities in the second, which shouldn't happen. But our opponents were able to manage the important points well. Despite that, I'm very happy to be in the quarterfinals.”

His relationship with his teammate Paquito Navarro

If some feared tensions within the 7th pair in the world, especially after the behavior of Paquito Navarro, deemed inappropriate by spectators and specialists in paddle, both in his body language and in his interactions with his teammate during the round of 16 against the Argentinians Aguirre et Alfonso, Brazilian Bergamini was keen to clear up any misunderstanding, stating that there are no relationship problems between them.

"With Paco, we talk a lot during the match. He's very expressive, and I like that he has these emotional ups and downs, because it pushes him to get back into it and want to win even more. My role is to stay strong and manage those moments when he might have a bit of a downturn. But in the end, he never gives up on the match. Sometimes, it only takes one or two points for him to get going again. He told me himself: at 36, he's not going to change! And that suits me perfectly."

Paquito Navarro's controversial behavior in the round of 16!

The craze of the paddle à Miami

The USA, a new market that it hopes to conquer Premier Padel, could further accentuate the rise in popularity of paddle in the world. the Premier Padel Miami P1 attracts from many stars in the stands, especially high-level athletes. The Master 1000 Miami Tennis Championships, which is also currently taking place, allows professional tennis figures such as the French Caroline Garcia to come and take a look at Miami Beach Convention Center, where the competition takes place, bringing together the stars of the circuit, including the new ambassador of paddle French USA, Arturo Coello, that Lucas Bergamini will face in the quarter-finals later today. A large crowd came, which somewhat surprised the player.

"Yesterday, the central court was almost full, and today again, our match was played in front of a very good crowd. It really makes me happy to see so many people in a country where the paddle is still growing. USA represent a huge market for the development of paddle, and seeing this enthusiasm here is very motivating!”

Preparing for a match

Players must adapt to the schedule and timetable imposed during tournaments. Even if the course of the competition was not disrupted by the weather factor as in Riyadh, given that at Miami, the tournament is held indoors, there is still the time factor and fatigue that can weigh. For some, like Bergamini, recovery is essential.

“We adapt […] I had a good breakfast, went to see the physiotherapist around 10:30 a.m., then went home to rest. I ate, took a nap, and then came to the club to start my warm-up routine.”

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