This was the surprise of the first round at the Greenweez Paris Major 2024: Fernando Belasteguin and Tino Libaak (TS12) are released by Marc Quilez and Federico Mouriño. A real underperformance, from the first tournament together, from this pair which was nevertheless promising on paper.
The day after his defeat, Fernando Belasteguin returned to this immense disappointment, as well as to the end of his season... Of course, King Bela also returned to his non-selection with the Argentina team for the 2024 World Championships.
How do you feel, mentally and physically?
We lost in the first round, a hard blow to take but it's a reality. My reality. The reality of my performance this year. For the first time in I don't know how many years, I'm going out from the first round six times in the same season…It's a "good" year because it's my last year as a professional player but I would like to win every game that comes my way...
Unfortunately, the level of padel that I have just given is not the one that will allow me to win these matches. So I hope that in the six tournaments that I have left until the end of the year, I can play a little better… Remove what could be anxiety and do everything to win one more match.
What is your relationship with Roland Garros?
Wilson invited me – I had never been before – in 2020, the year of Covid, when the tournament was played in October-November. When I came back, saw Philippe Chatrier, I said to Iñaki (Cabrera): “I hope that one day we can see padel here“. Just see it, It hadn't crossed my mind that I would have the chance to play there.…And a year and a half later, thanks to Premier Padel and at the French Tennis Federation, we play there.
It is a unique setting… I am very happy because from where my career started, I have now been playing in a place like this for three years. I had no doubt that the sport would continue to evolve, as it is now. There is more money for professional players but playing in a stadium like this, it is a dream that I had before these last three years.
Did you believe that one day it would be possible to play in a place like Roland Garros?
No, never. It was a great gift for my career.
You considered it a dream…
Of course. In fact, this week we released a limited edition of my shovel for France and I had to choose a sentence to put on the racket. The quote I chose is: “where my dreams culminate".
There is no better place to play padel.
What motivated you to finish the season with Tino Libaak?
He is a very young, versatile player who has the potential to win points. Throughout my career, I have always looked for a style of play that suits me.
How far can this pair go?
Our first idea is to be competitive and finish the year together. We have six tournaments left together: five Premier Padel and a FIP Platinum that we will play in Marbella.
What would be your biggest career regret?
There have been storms throughout my career where I have had to make decisions at certain times that I thought were the right ones. With time and hindsight, I realize that I was wrong.…which happens to everyone.
I have no real regrets. but I have learned from the mistakes I have made throughout my career.
What are your goals now for the end of the season? Will you go for qualification for the Master Finals?
For now, we are far away, pair 11 or 12 of the circuit… The Master Finals seem far away. Not only in terms of points, but also in terms of play. I'm not close to the first pairs, nor to the eighth.
The goal is to raise the level a little and to finish the year playing well.
Although in a way, ending your career in Barcelona would be ideal for you…
Yes, but I'm really far from the Master Finals because I haven't accumulated enough points to be able to hope for it. The level of play I had this year was not good..
Now let's talk about news with the Argentina selection. What is your best memory with the team?
I want to keep the six World Cups that I won with Argentina, especially the last one that we won in Dubai. We were lucky to have our revenge, after losing in 2021. I had kept a bitter taste from it.
In 2022, winning the last match, in the third set, with a 7/5, is a very nice memory. Not going to this last world championship hurts but I stop with a wonderful feeling after Dubai.
Would you have preferred to have this last call-up or to finish with this title, in 2022?
They didn't take me this year, I was able to talk with the selectors [Gaby Reca and Rodrigo Ovide] and the reasons they gave me were that it wasn't the right time for me to go to this World Cup. They saw it on the track here in Paris. My current level is not sufficient for selection..
It's a decision to respect but, beyond that, my way of thinking, which will never change, is that if you want to play with the best, you have to play like them. That's not what I'm doing this season. So, I'm not surprised they didn't choose me for the selection..
What do you think of this selection, with so many young players?
It's a good thing because it's a demonstration that padel is only evolving. That Spain and Argentina continue to produce younger and younger players. For me, Argentina has a very good team.
To see the full interview, click here:
It was her brother who one day told her to accompany him to a padel court, since then, Gwenaëlle has never left the court. Except when it comes to going to watch the retransmission of Padel Magazine, World Padel Tour… or Premier Padel…or the French Championships. In short, she is a fan of this sport.