Present at Tennis Padel Sun as part of the Pro-Am which included players from World Padel Tour, the tennis player David Ferrer feasted!

The former professional tennis player David Ferrer participated in recent days in Pro-Am which took place at Tennis Padel Sun. While he had succeeded in reach the final, with the player from World Padel Tour Juan-Manuel Restivo, the former number 3 at ATP could not dispute it. He has all the same took the time to answer questions from Franck Binisti and Oscar Solé.

We abandon tennis for padel ?

I'm not sure, of course my sport is tennis, I love to play tennis. For me the padel is a “hobby”, I have fun, that's what matters to me. When my schedule allows it, I take the opportunity to play a little padel.

Have you played padel before playing tennis?

No no, when I started tennis on padel did not exist ! (Laughter)

What is the difference in state of mind between padel and tennis?

It's different, for me the padel has more of a social dimension, perhaps because it is a more accessible sport. In tennis you have to start as a child, if you start later it's difficult. At padel, you can start at 14-15, and play at a good level. I think people have more fun at padel because it is less demanding.

Suggest padel to train tennis players to climb on the fly, good idea?

No, these are two sports that are too different. You cannot train tennis by playing padel. For professional tennis players, the padel it's good to have fun and to practice another activity, to clear the mind a little.

It's been a year since you retired from tennis, what are you doing now?

I am still in the world of tennis, I am the coach of Alexander Zverev, director of the Barcelona Open Bank Sabadell tennis tournament, and I am very happy with this new life, I do different things, it is a new stage in as a coach, and I'm happy to learn new things.

You played (and lost) the last game of your career against Alexander Zverev

We already knew each other, he is much younger than me, we had already discussed before, we had a very good relationship. In recent months, with the Covid issues, he called me to try to train with me, he came two weeks, it all finally came to fruition and we have already started working together.

Are you going to stay here in Monaco?

I've been here for two weeks, I'm staying until Friday, then Alexander goes on the American tour, and I'll start traveling with him from Rome, the European tour.

What are the difficulties for you when you play padel ?

It's a different sport. Of course, being a tennis player you can play quite a bit, but at the level of Juan or Fede, players who are at the top, it's very hard to keep up. But hey, I had the opportunity to play with them and it went really well, so you just have to thank them for that.

What do you think of the evolution of padel ?

I think the padel is growing, there are always more followers, and it's a very social, very fun sport. Among professionals, the level is increasing, people are watching it more and more, there are matches on Gol TV. I think it's a good thing that the padel have visibility to attract more sponsors and continue to grow, so that young players like those who are here can live the future serenely.

Will we ever see David Ferrer in a professional tournament?

As a spectator yes (Laughs). But as a player, no, I don't have the level, and anyway I have too much work to get into that. But I love to watch the padel, getting to know the players is a great time. I really enjoy playing padel, when I'm in Valencia, I always play with friends, and I really like that. 

 

What advice would you give to young players?

I think it's like everything in life, to be one of the best in a field, you have to sacrifice a lot, work hard, but also work smart, and love what you do. Those who don't like their job, or who don't enjoy training, will have a lot more difficulty getting to the top. My advice is: if you really like it, you have to try, accept that there are bad days, and always give your best.

 

 

 

 

 

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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