Fernando Belasteguin, Argentine legend of professional padel, was invited to the microphone of Padel Review during the tournament Miami Premier Padel, where the Argentinian is the ambassador and director of the tournament, the first on United States soil. (of the circuit Premier Padel)

His role as tournament director

Belasteguin, recently retired since the end of the 2024 season, is the new director of Miami Premier Padel One, first tournament in the United States, three months after his retirement from sport.

“We've known this for a while, and as I've done throughout my sporting career, I always try to surround myself with people who are excellent at what they do. When I was playing, I always tried to have better partners than me. Now, in this new role, this week is going very easily, thanks to the excellent team that supports me.”

The United States represents a key market that padel hopes to conquer to increase its popularity and global profitability. Although padel has experienced exponential growth in recent years, the American market is a powerful lever for the development of the sport and its marketing, with exceptional sports infrastructure and a significant budget dedicated to the sector.

“For me, the United States is a country that can take us to the next level in terms of the growth of our sport, which has already been spectacular in recent years. But the American market could take us to another level. Personally, I was surprised by the enthusiasm this tournament generated, right from the round of 32 and round of 16. We could already see those two secondary courts filled with people passionate about this sport.”

A success for Belasteguin and the organization Premier Padel, which attracted crowds and sports personalities to the stands, such as Carlos Alcaraz, present for the tennis tournament in Miami, Matteo Berrettini (Italian tennis player), Paul Pogba or, Thiago Alcantara. Although the crowd responded in person, the event also brought together a large audience in front of the screens. audience record was recorded during the broadcast of the round of 16 between Aguirre / Alfonso à Bergamini / Navarro.

Alcaraz Bela Miami
Credit Premier Padel

“I think a lot of it comes from the tremendous commitment of the Miami clubs to help us broadcast the tournament. I asked them to consider the tournament as their own, to get involved with us. I was fortunate, with charlie moon, that the week before the tournament, he prepared a program for me to visit different clubs.”

His sports retirement

A ceremony in honor of the career of Fernando Belasteguin took place in Barcelona last December during the Final Master, for the last tournament of the 2024 season. He who played his last match alongside Tino Libaak, on December 3, 2024, in the round of XNUMX of the Milan P1. With an impressive track record of 230 titles, 286 finals played, 6 world championships and 16 consecutive years as world number 1, the native of Pehuajo leaves the grounds at 45 years.

“I'm very happy and very calm. I was able to leave professional padel whenever I wanted, and that's a great opportunity for me. I set a date and I reached that date. 30 years as a professional player, the closing in Barcelona was a dream. I'm really calm. A stage has come to an end, and now there are new things that motivate me a lot.”

A carefully considered decision, which leaves him with no regrets:

“I've already given my all in this sport. There's no more 'juice' in the sponge. I'm content with the peace of mind of knowing I did my best.”

Managing post-career and business

The interviewer mentioned a statistic about the post-career of professional players, taking the example of the NBAWhere 60% of players find themselves ruined five years after their retirement. Belasteguin answers him:

“First of all, I am very happy with a very austere lifestyle. I don't need great things, and I hope to be able to pass this on to my children, because fortunately, my partner shares this philosophy. Secondly, I like to work. […] Now I am running the tournament in the United States, the White Padel Center and brand Wilson, which will help me develop their entire collection. […] Thanks to my parents, I learned to be happy with little, I don't need more.”

Today, padel has gained momentum worldwide and continues to grow. The organization has evolved with the arrival of Premier Padel, new sponsors and higher income for players, who are increasingly in demand with the growing popularity of padel. These developments also involve more complex financial management for the world's best players, who are being offered record contracts.

“I'm very happy that today's young people are having long careers. When they stop playing, they can go to work if they want, but not out of necessity. I would tell them the same thing I tell my children: more care and more interest in what their parents are doing, so that everything goes well and they take care of their money.”

His future project

Belasteguin plans to open a padel club in Barcelona, which is scheduled to open in june or july .

Nicolas Fillaudeau

A big sports enthusiast and former tennis player, I discovered padel a few years ago without really focusing on it. Then I became addicted to this sport by practicing it and watching the premier padel matches. Looking forward to sharing the 2025 news with you!

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