“Bela, Bela, Bela!” Chants echo through the Allianz Cloud stadium in Milan for Fernando Belasteguin's final match. The “Legend” puts an end to an exceptional career, marked by a final defeat against Garrido and Bergamini (6-3, 6-4). However, the victory of the two young players is eclipsed by the emotion of this unique moment.

An outing in his image: combative

On the first match point at 4-5, Belasteguin pulled out two spectacular “por tres” shots to keep hope alive. At 45, he fought until the end, true to his motto: “A Belasteguin nunca rinses” – a Belasteguin never gives up. After an hour and 28 minutes of play, the match ends. But more than a result, it is the end of an era: 16 years as world number one, a 30-year career dedicated to transforming padel into a global sport.

A shared emotion

At the final blow, emotion overwhelms the court. Garrido, usually impassive, hides his face against the grid. Bergamini, however, remains motionless. In the stands, tears flow: those of Fernando, of his young teammate Tino Libaak, and even of the opponent. “Bela, Bela, Bela!” chants the crowd, paying homage to the one who inspired generations.

The great names of padel – Di Nenno, Tapia, Yanguas, Galán, Chingotto – stand at the edge of the court, alongside FIP president Luigi Carraro and loyal friend Gianluca Vacchi. A young boy in the audience pleads: “Bela, don’t leave us!” But the script seems already written. The physical intensity of Garrido and Bergamini ends up wearing down Fernando and Tino.

Memorable farewells

At the end, the tournament organizer, Marco Gamberale, presents a trophy to Bela before slipping away discreetly to leave him this moment with his audience. Fernando then speaks:

“With all the recognition received this year, I have won more trophies than in five years!”, he jokes, provoking a smile from the audience.

He pursues :

“You don’t know what it feels like to quit until it happens. Now I do. And I’m at peace. I had decided to play the entire 2024 season, even though I had more difficult moments than good games. I wanted to leave the way I’ve always played: fighting, diving, arguing with the referee, breaking windows. I wanted to leave with my essence – that of a fighter. And I’m happy because I gave it my all. Sport often forces you to quit earlier than expected. I was lucky to have the choice.”

Fernando concludes, visibly moved but serene, that he feels “calm, really calm”, now a former professional player.

An indelible mark

At 21:38 pm on December 5, 2024, padel turned a page. Fernando Belasteguin left the courts, but his legacy will remain etched in the history of the sport. The “Bela, Bela, Bela” will continue to resonate, reminding everyone that he was much more than a player: a role model, an inspiration, a legend.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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