Karina funegra is a player of padel of Peruvian origin who resides in Tenerife, on the Canary Island. She develops the Beach tennis, a sport born in Italy 40 years ago.

nicolas binisti beach tennis Karina Funegra
Karina Funegra and Nicolas Binisti

Padel Magazine : You have been playing for years padel and beach tennis. Can you tell us how you started this sport and how did you get the idea to develop it in Tenerife?

Karina: “During my many trips between the islands, I discovered the padel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, exactly at Playa de las Canteras (la isleta). I remember it like it was yesterday. Noa Frias, current senior Canary Islands champion, invited me to try this sport and that's when my journey began in beach tennis.

But when I returned to my island of residence, Tenerife, I felt that I was missing something… beach tennis. It was then that I met Daniele and Morena, two great beach tennis players of Italian nationality (Rimini) who were starting to form a club on Las Vistas beach in the south of Tenerife. And since then, this sport has developed little by little. ”

Padel Magazine : We see several similarities between this sport and the padel. As a practitioner of both disciplines, do you see an interest in a player of padel to get into beach tennis?

Karina"A player of padel has a lot to gain by starting to play beach tennis… The padel and beach tennis are both racquet sports and beach tennis helps build a skill within the game, especially in movement and coordination: when playing on a sandy surface, movements are slower and l he effort is greater to move. I think this is the most important benefit.

This sport greatly improves the development of reflexes because the exchanges are faster.

On a physical level, this sport protects us against future injuries and significantly strengthens our lower and middle muscles. ”

beach tennis tenerife sunset

Padel Magazine : Are there similar movements between the padel and beach tennis?

Karina: “The types of strokes are similar between these two sports, but Beauch-tennis also has a catalog of unique strokes. For example, the “sventagliata di rovescio” - forehand which is executed from the inside to the outside - or the “diritto spinto” - offensive blow with a basic movement of the volley, on which we print a topspin effect. . ”

Padel Magazine : You recently received big names from padel French. I am thinking in particular of Patrick Fouquet, former coach of the French women's team. How did that happen ?

Karina: “It was very nice. On a beach tennis court, you can really feel the quality of a padel. It's obviously not the same thing, but the essence is there. ”

Padel Magazine : Is there a particular facility for players of padel ? What are the qualities to have and to develop?

Karina"In all facets of the game, players of padel are advantaged. Beach tennis improves your shots at padelbecause the size of the rackets is similar. We hit the ball in a similar way especially to the bandeja. "

Padel Magazine : How do you see the development of the Tenerife club? How many players are playing? What are your development prospects in terms of the number of sites?

beach tennis tenerife logo

Karina"Beach tennis in Tenerife continues to develop. For the year 2021, we plan to resume tournaments on the island, in order to create a circuit in different beaches and town halls. The number of players who currently play beach here on the island of Tenerife is more or less 150 participants between adults and children.

We only have 2 fixed courts on Las Vistas beach, but soon we will have a 3rd court. The lessons we will organize will be given by beach tennis professionals from different parts of the islands.

This sport has developed over the past 40 years internationally, which is why we have players from all over the world who come to play in Tenerife, because of the pleasant climate and the beautiful people.

Beach tennis is a perfect instrument of ecotourism, because the people who practice this sport in the world are healthy people, who enjoy the beach and the sea, and who come not only to play sports but also for a vacation. ”

TENERIFE PADEL BEACH TENNIS
Karina funegra

From his names, we can guess his Spanish and Italian origins. Lorenzo is a multilingual passionate about sports: journalism by vocation and events by worship are his two legs. He is the international gentleman of Padel Magazine. You will often see it on the various international competitions, but also on the major French events. @eyeofpadel on Instagram to see his best photos of padel !

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