Bergamini: “It’s incredible that the most important match of my life was against Bela”

Fernando Belasteguín ends his legendary career after 30 years of domination in padel. By 230 tracks, 6 world championships, and an exceptional longevity at the top of the rankings, Bela leaves the courts leaving an indelible mark. A look back at his final match and the highlights of the Milan tournament, where the past rubbed shoulders with the future of padel.

Fernando Belasteguín bows out: 30 years, 230 titles, an eternal mark on padel

After three decades on the field, Fernando Belasteguín, an iconic figure in padel and former world number 1, played his last professional match. With an impressive record of 230 tracks, six world championships and an unprecedented 16-year dominance at the top of the rankings, “Bela” brings to an end a career that has marked the history of the sport. His final encounter, alongside Tino Libaak salary. Javier Garrido et Lucas Bergamini, was a vibrant tribute to his career. Still as combative as ever, Bela leaves the stage with an unforgettable legacy.

“I am very happy, very serene,” said the player nicknamed “El Boss” after his last match. “I was lucky enough to end 30 years of professional career in my own way, whereas often sport stops you before you decide to. I feel at peace; it’s incredible to have my family and my team by my side. I gave it my all, and this feeling even surpasses that of having been number one for so many years.”
“Bela, don’t leave us!”

Lucas Bergamini secures his place in the Finals

Belasteguín's farewell match was also crucial for Lucas Bergamini, who was playing for his qualification for the Qatar Airways Finals Premier Padel. “It’s incredible that the most important match of my life was against Bela, here in Milan. Today is his moment,” said the Brazilian after the match.

Bergamini: "It's incredible that the most important match of my life was against Bela"

His teammate of the day, Javier Garrido, expressed his gratitude: “Since the first day I held a padel racket, I wanted to be like Fernando Belasteguín. Congratulations for everything you have achieved, for what you have taught us, and above all, for inspiring so many children around the world.”

The 16 qualifiers for the Master Final are known, Bergamini / Cardona take the last places, Ruiz out

Pablo Cardona qualifies for the FIP Race Finals

Thanks to a victory alongside Paquito Navarro face Sanyo Gutiérrez et José Diestro, combined with the defeat of Álex Ruiz et Álex Arroyo, the young Spaniard paul cardona secures a place for the final tournament of the season in Barcelona.

CWomen's fight for last qualifying place

The women's competition remains open, with Aranzazu Osoro, Alejandra Alonso et Tamara Icardo still in the running to win the last ticket of the Race FinalsTomorrow will be a decisive day, as each will face higher ranked pairs. Osoro enjoys a slight advantage thanks to its current position in the ranking, which would allow it to pass in the event of a triple defeat of its rivals.

The favorites are strong, the youngsters are in the spotlight

For the second day in a row, all the higher-ranked pairs won their matches without dropping a set. However, the performance of the young duo Rama Valenzuela et Pol Hernández salary. Fede Chingotto et Alejandro Galán caught the eye. By pushing the world number two pair to a tiebreak in the first set and to seven games in the second, the two players made their mark in their first appearance in the round of 2.

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.