Discover the journey and thoughts ofAndres Soriano, coordinator of the padel school ofAlhaurín de la Torre, which today oversees nearly 500 students, divided between children and adults. Passionate about sport and with a wealth of experience, he shares his professional development, his career choices, and his analysis of the transformations of the paddle over the years. He also discusses the importance of infrastructure and provides valuable advice for beginners, young and old.

It is during the International Club Cup Padel that we were able to discover Andrés.

What is your background?
I am 46 years old. I have a background in Magisterio de Educación Física (teaching physical education), then I studied in INEF (sports science). I also obtained a master's degree in paddle and golf. I started working for the Alhaurín de la Torre town hall around 1999 as a sports instructor.

How did you discover padel?
At the beginning, there were wall tracks that had been built about 19 years ago. It was an innovative initiative in the village, because no one knew about these tracks. Today, I continue to follow training courses to renew my knowledge and to train the instructors.

How did you choose between golf and padel?
Initially I was interested in the golf, especially for financial reasons, but ultimately I chose the paddle because I felt more comfortable there. It's been 15 years now since I last picked up a golf club, and I'm completely dedicated to paddle.

What differences do you see between the padel of the past and that of today?
Since my beginnings, the paddle has evolved enormously. In the past, it was more of a sport technical and strategic, while today it has become extremely physical. Now, if the ball is misplaced, it easily goes out of bounds. Players' preparation now includes the nutrition, the a physical training, and even the psychological supportAt that time, only practice on the field was the focus of training, but today, we are interested in everything that surrounds the players.

Golf or padel? Andrés Soriano explains his career choice

Do you start teaching padel from a young age?
Yes, in our school we welcome children from the age of 6 years. Previously, we recommended that parents first introduce them to tennis, because it facilitates the transition to the paddle by developing hand-eye coordination. Although the raquette differs from the padel pala, the bases remain transferable, in particular for coordination.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in padel after 20 years?
For adults who start after 20 years, I recommend having some patience and to work the basic shots : the forehand, the backhand and the volleys. It is also essential to practice on the walls and windows, as they require good positioning and accurate reading of the ball. With age, learning can be slower, but it is important to stay motivated.

Can you tell us about the evolution of the club's infrastructure?
We started in 2007 with four tracks on the wall, a real novelty for the city of Alhaurín. Over time, the club experienced a high demand, and in 2016 we added six new tracks, bringing our current total to 12 tracks. We plan to add three more tracks soon.

Why keep the wall tracks?
Although the tracks in are more aesthetic, the tracks in mur are most commonly used for learning because they provide a more consistent playing experience. Unlike glass, which absorbs moisture and can slow the ball down, the wall provides regular bounces, allowing for better learning.

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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