Having qualified for the Pretoria P1 semi-finals alongside Juanlu Esbri, Sanyo Gutiérrez continues to defy time. In a press conference, the Argentinian shared his sincere thoughts on longevity, motivation, and his desire to continue competing at the highest level. His remarks resonate particularly strongly after his excellent week in South Africa. 

"You have to be the one to decide to stop."

At 42, Sanyo still hears comments about his age. But the San Luis native refuses to let others write the end of his story.

“I think there’s something very important in an athlete’s career: you have to make the decision to stop yourself. It shouldn’t be your entourage that pulls you out. People say things like, ‘He’s too old,’ ‘He’s not winning anymore,’ ‘He’s useless,’ ‘He doesn’t play like he used to’… All of that makes a lot of noise for an athlete. You have to know how to isolate yourself and be aware of what you’re doing.”

A statement that perfectly illustrates the mindset of the “Magician”, still capable of competing with the best players in the world.

Undiminished motivation

Sanyo insists that nothing has changed in his daily life. His high standards for himself remain the same.

“I continue to take the best possible care of myself. I love training and I wake up every morning wondering what I can still improve. That's what keeps me so motivated to continue.”

This philosophy partly explains why it remains competitive despite the passing years.

An experience that facilitates new partnerships

Having teamed up with Juanlu Esbri this week, Sanyo immediately found his footing. According to him, his experience is now a real asset.

"In my case, age can be an advantage. Not because I have many years behind me, but because I adapt very quickly to my partners."

The Argentinian also believes that his playing style facilitates this adaptation.

“I have a very authentic style of padel. I might have a few different strokes because I come from the old school. In my day, I was a right-handed player who changed the way that position was played. But I remain a ‘classic’ padel player. My partners already know me from having played against me. They know what to expect from me. I’m not going to do anything crazy, in either direction, and that allows us to understand each other very quickly.”

Sanyo Gutiérrez defies time, Tello and Arce upset Chingalán: the final four takes shape in Pretoria

The field proves him right.

These remarks take on even more meaning in light of his background in Pretoria.

In a tournament where the fast conditions favor big hitters, Sanyo once again demonstrated that game reading, hand quality, and tactical intelligence can still make the difference. Alongside Juanlu Esbri, he qualified for the semifinals in their first tournament together, confirming that at 42, he remains one of the most brilliant players on the circuit.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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