During the presentation of the new range of snowshoes OXDOG, the Spanish Arnau Ayats, currently ranked 55th in the world, justified his decision to represent the national team of United Arab Emirates. A decision motivated by the strong competition within the Spanish team, made up of many high-level players:

"I say it clearly: for a TOP 50 player it is very difficult, if not impossible, to play for Spain. And if a country can participate in the Argentina-Spain debate with a local player and a foreign player, I don't think it's so bad."

The player draws a parallel with other disciplines, such as football, where athletes choose to represent a nation other than their country of origin when they do not find a place within their national team:

"It happens in all sports! In football, how many cases are there? An African footballer who, overnight, becomes French (editor's note: he certainly meant the opposite). Thousands. And when it happens in padel, it's a bomb. But why? Because we were the first. For the next times, it won't cause the same surprise."

Ayats insists on the sincerity of his approach by explaining the reasons behind his Emirati naturalization, highlighting his personal and professional ties with this country:

"If, instead of being a Spaniard mobilized by the Emirates, France or Italy had called me, what would have happened? Nothing. I have been going to Dubai for five years, at least three times a year, and I have very good relations with the people there. The possibility of being called by the Emirates comes to me out of pure and simple friendship. There is no other interest. I say that clearly."

In conclusion, the player highlights the strengths of the Emirates in the development of padel, with a vision focused on the expansion and democratization of this sport:

“When they said to me, ‘there’s a possibility that you could play for the Emirates,’ I said, ‘I’ll go for it.’ It’s a country that I really like, and it’s more advanced than many of you think. Things are well done, the security is impressive. You leave your mobile phone on the table, and the next day it’s still there.”

Interview by VeinteDiez-Padel, these statements by Arnau Ayats have provoked strong reactions among Spanish padel fans and divided the supporters of the player, now a naturalized Emirati.

Noah Daumain

I took a bubble in my first tournament Padel. Since then, it has become a passion,
with one goal: to never again finish a game without scoring a goal. This sport is
now an integral part of my life, to the point of leaving feathers there. I often burn myself
elbows trying to catch all the balls. "A true love story."

On the same subject

Tags