Renowned coach in professional padel and former high-level player, Gustavo Pratto confided in the media The House of Padel from the training center of the Gustavo Pratto Academy, based at Valladolid, his padel academy.

His beginnings as a coach and player

Former professional player, Gustavo Pratto has always worn the double hat of coach-player:

“In 1985-1986, I was already giving lessons. There were a lot of tournaments, and you had to find money to be able to participate, so I started giving lessons.”

So it starts very early, around 15 years old, with a first opportunity at Quilmes en Argentina, where two coaches had set up a school for young people.

“I was 16 or 17 years old at the time, and I entered this school. I was teaching children, and I immediately really liked it. At first, my idea was: 'I like to train children, and I charge the adults.' But very quickly, I really liked it, and I've always liked it.”

First steps in professional padel

It was after hanging up his football boots that Gustavo Pratto discovers padel, a decision that will lead to a complicated relationship with his father.

“I started playing padel with friends, I discovered it when I was 11 or 12 years old, and since then I have played practically every day.”

At the time, padel lacked the media coverage and infrastructure it has today. Players often trained on their own.

“We were a self-taught generation. I learned by imitating friends, by playing against them. It was the best time of padel for me, between the ages of 16 and 17. My best friend, Hernan Cañete, was 26 years old. They were former tennis players, and I joined this group. That's how I progressed.”

A mentality that he seeks to transmit today:

“Doing everything alone built my character, my ability to sacrifice myself. And I think that's what young people today sometimes lack.”

His professional career allowed him to develop as a coach:

“I was ranked among the top 10 pairs for about 20 years. My highest ranking was 4th in the world in 1998 and 2006. I played against the best, although I rarely beat them, but I learned a lot from them. And that enriched me as a coach.”

Academy Pratto: a project in Valladolid

Retired since 2013, Pratto now devotes himself 100% to his role as coach, through his academy and on the professional circuit.

“When I was in Argentina, I had a good life Quilmes. But with the devaluation, working in Europe was worth it. I went to San SebastianAnd then Santander. But as the tournaments were at Madrid or in the South, it was complicated. One of my ex-girlfriends, from Santander, came to study at Valladolid. I met people here in 2006, and I started working here. I settled in, I had my daughter here. Until she's 18, I'll stay here. I love the tranquility here, everything is close, it's peaceful.”

While the majority of academies and professional players are setting up in Madrid ou Barcelona, Pratto chooses to continue his adventure at Valladolid.

“My idea with my ex was to go to Barcelona, it's a convenient city for traveling. But we split up, so I stayed. Eventually, we created an international academy here, with 35–40 people from all over the world coming to train. I'm very happy. Here, the costs are lower, and I was able to build my team easily.”

His role as coach

Gustavo Pratto currently manages nearly 40 professional players spread across the circuits FIP, Premier Padel et A1 PadelA significant commitment that he balances with his family life:

“My favorite thing to do is give padel lessons. When it comes to my daughter, I go to half of the tournaments. I go myself, and sometimes another coach like Martin Canali, or when plays Alejandra Alonso ou Caldera Goenaga, another coach accompanies them. When my daughter is here, I don't travel. It's every other week. What I really like is giving lessons, being at my club and coaching.”

What is the key to managing so many talents in parallel?

“I think the difference lies in daily training. What's important is not to demand too much during competition, but to make sure that everything that is required in competition has been practiced. […] We work to ensure that all options are practiced. This allows the player not to be surprised when I ask something of him.”

Academy players also sometimes clash. This can be a delicate moment to manage:

“It's always difficult when an academy player has to face another and you have to coach them against them. It's a very uncomfortable situation, but I downplay its importance. The truth is, I think training is more decisive than coaching on match day. For me, daily training is the key.”

Tapia / Coello: towards a new record season?

The duo Agustín Tapia et Arturo Coello, coached in particular by Pratto, started the season by winning the Riyadh P1. They then reached the semi-finals at Miami, before being eliminated in the last sixteen at SantiagoFacing Cardona / Augsburger. Results below their expectations in the last two tournaments, partly linked to an injury Wall :

“They have a very strong dynamic, but the injury ofAugustine disrupted this dynamic. They have great potential, but sometimes difficult periods can occur. Work is important to return to a high level. For now, I am confident that they will bounce back.”

Last season, Wall et Coello had a record-breaking season with 15 titles and 47 consecutive victories. Can they repeat the feat?

“I don't want to focus too much on statistics like wins, but their ability to excel in competition is incredible. They know how to handle pressure and stay calm. Every match is a new challenge.”

The next challenge promises to be a big one for the pair. Tapia / Coello and to Gustavo Pratto with the Qatar Major.

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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