Fernando Belasteguin will celebrate his 42th birthday next May, but that does not prevent him from always looking for solutions to progress on the track!

A desire to learn still intact

Winner of the last Master Final of World Padel Tour, Fernando Belasteguin has won everything in his career. But the one who was 16 years during the world number 1 of padel is not satisfied. As proof, the Argentinian perseveres to try to control a stroke that has never really succeeded: the spike that goes back very high.

Now 6nd in the ranking of World Padel Tour, Bela, who will play alongside Sanyo Gutierrez next season, would like regain the number 1 position he abandoned in 2018. For this, he trains very hard, both physically, but also technically.

Aware of the evolution of padel, and the efficiency, particularly on new surfaces, of the smash that bounces very close to the line to come back very high in the opposing camp, the native of Pehuajo does everything to learn this move that no one masters as well as Juan Lebron.

Juan lebron smash babolat viper

As he said in a Facebook post, the Argentinian does not despair : “I never knew how to hit the ball to make it go up a lot… but I try every day, telling myself that one day I will do it!” At 42, this mental strength commands respect, and it illustrates Bela's signature phrase: “A Belasteguin never surrenders”.

A blow that would simplify his life

Dominating his entire career with the combo bandeja/ flat smash, Fernando Belasteguin realizes that the padel has evolved and that today it is no longer as dangerous as some players who have a more substantial aerial range. Often in high demand on high balls, it would obviously be much more effective if he managed to control the smash that goes back very high, which allows to strike from further and therefore to shorten the exchanges.

Even though he's still physically impressive at 42, Bela could save himself much more if he was able to finish the points on baseline smashes like Lebron or Tapia do. Last season, it was the latter who was always in charge of executing them: ”Agus” often came to take the center from his right side to finish the points with an indefensible smash.

Agustin Tapia smash world padel tour

 

This year, Bela will no longer have Tapia, but Sanyo Gutierrez, also capable of executing these smashes. Even if this team promises to be formidable in the state, it would be even more dangerous if Fernando managed to make a smash that goes back one of his strong shots. The Argentinian still has a few weeks to achieve it, and just for the show, we hope he will!

 

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !