How to play against Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia? Guest of Bandeja, the official podcast of Premier PadelThe Argentinian number one agreed to put himself in the shoes of an opposing pair's coach. His answer is as amusing as it is revealing: for him, it's better to avoid Coello and focus... on Tapia.

This is a question that many coaches on the circuit are certainly asking themselves:  Where to play when facing Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia? 

In the second episode of Bandeja, the official podcast of Premier Padel Presented by Bárbara Vitantonio and Alberto Bote, Agustín Tapia played along.

The principle was simple: forget for a few moments that he is a member of the number 1 pair and put himself in the shoes of the coach in charge of preparing a match against… Coello / Tapia.

"I would bet everything on Tapia."

The question posed to the Argentinian was particularly direct:  "Which way would you play against Tapia and Coello?" 

Tapia hesitates for a few seconds before giving an answer that speaks volumes about the admiration he has for his partner.

"Arturo's game seems incredible to me. The times I've had to play against him, it seemed almost impossible."

His conclusion?

"I would bet everything on myself. Everything on Tapia."

A response delivered with a smile, but which also contains a genuine tactical analysis.

Tapia explains that, when he faced Coello before their partnership, he found it extremely difficult to find solutions against the Spanish left-hander.

"Arturo, I put him at the very top and leave him alone. I wouldn't play on him."

Tapia reveals his recipe for beating Coello / Tapia: "I would bet everything on myself"

Tapia therefore prefers to attack… Tapia

The scene is obviously quite delightful.

One of the most talented players in recent padel history himself explains that, if he had to choose a target from the world number 1 pair,  He's the one he would choose .

But his analysis contains an important nuance.

Tapia points out that playing conditions can change the balance of power.

"There are obviously avenues that favor one side or the other more than the other."

Depending on the track speed, atmospheric conditions, or the height of the bounce, the areas to be exploited can therefore vary.

Despite this, his general choice remains the same: to solicit Tapia more than Coello.

A mutual admiration at the heart of their association

This answer primarily helps to understand a fundamental element of how the Golden Boys operate:  mutual admiration .

A few minutes later, Tapia explains that the relationship between the two players is one of the main strengths of their partnership.

He talks about confidence, lack of ego, and the ability to recognize one's own mistakes.

"We know we're both pulling in the same direction."

A relationship whose true value, according to him, appears in difficult times.

"It's not always visible, but it's in the bad times that you see it. And that gives you something extra."

A detail that can save a first round or tip the balance in a final.

"Arturo teaches me every day what a winning mentality is."

Tapia's admiration for Coello is not solely related to his playing style.

When he mentions his famous gesture of putting his finger to his temple, a symbol of the importance of the mind, the Argentinian directly cites his partner.

"Arturo teaches me every day what it means to have a winning mentality."

For Tapia, mental strength now represents an essential dimension of their success.

And when asked how to beat their own pair, his answer ultimately becomes almost a tribute to his partner:

 If Agustín Tapia had to face Coello/Tapia, he would prefer to play against Agustín Tapia. 

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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