The men's final of the Brussels P2 has once again shown an implacable truth of the very highest level: it is not always the best shots that make the difference, but rather the head, the key moment management, and mental alchemy of a team.
Here, Arturo Coello et Agustín Tapia won in three sets (2/6 6/4 6/1) against Federico Chingotto et Alejandro Galán, at the end of a final in which they were nevertheless dominated for a long time.
Carried by a Great Chingotto, surgical in his choices, and a Gallant Bouncing to the net, the defending champions started ideally, stifling the feverish Tapia and neutralizing Coello. Chingotto's play targeted Tapia, forcing him to defend at the baseline.
Logically, “Chingalan" pocketed the first set 6/2, while Coello and Tapia seemed trapped. But at this level, the question is not who dominates the start of the match. The question is who will last the longest mentally..
Without ever criticizing each other, without ever getting angry, Tapia and Coello stayed together, calm, focused. Just like what they have embodied for two years now: collective serenity.
Little by little, they changed their dynamic: Coello took up more space, Tapia has regained its efficiency smash and volley. At 3/3 in the second set, they multiplied the chances (seven break points!) before converting, without panicking despite the missed opportunities. Even when Chingotto and Galán immediately caught up, the world number 1s did not disuniteThey broke again, to equalize at one set all.
In the third set, the trend was completely reversed. Tapia was gaining strength, Coello continued to stabilize, and the faults appeared on the Chingotto / Galán side. More lucid, more consistent, Tapia and Coello rolled out to win 6/1.
Yesterday, once again, the mental made the difference. Tapia and Coello didn't just win because they hit harder. They won because they managed better:
At the highest level, all players have great technical qualities. What distinguishes champions is their emotional resilienceTheir technical consistency, and their mutual support in difficulty. Tapia and Coello are the perfect illustration of this today.
Yesterday, on the trail of the Brussels Tour & Taxis, it wasn't just a padel match. It was a mental lesson. And a further demonstration that The greatest champions are those who know how to get up again and again..