Return on the interview of Juan Martin Diaz, carried out Wednesday, May 6, Live on the Instagram of French Padel Shop.

As part of the Coupe de France racquets of padel, organized by French Padel Shop, and won by the DropShot Conqueror 8.0 of Juan Martin Diaz, we had the chance to interview the player who was nine years during the world number one in padel. Back to his words.

  • Regarding his knee and confinement

My knee is much better, I had a lot of time to train and recover all the strength and muscle that I had lost after the operation. I have almost no more pain, I am very happy, and ready for recovery. I was back, I started playing again, I started to pick up the pace, and once again, suddenly, everything stops, impossible to play, to train, it's not easy. Hopefully we can find the tracks as soon as possible.

We still have to wait, do things intelligently, and I hope the circuit can resume. Normally, next Monday (May 11), we can start training again. For the moment we have the right to train, but the clubs cannot open ... If someone has a field at home, they can play, but there for the moment the rules are not very clear. For the moment they have to clarify things, to know for example if it would be possible to open the clubs to allow the professionals to train.

  •  About his racket

I look forward to being able to replay with! I started with the Conqueror 1, eight years later I have this Conqueror 8.0. After years of testing, mistakes, successes, Drop Shot has continuously improved this racket. I think they managed to create an incredible pala, really, without disrespecting other brands that also make great rackets, I think this pala can be used by a professional like me as well as by an amateur whatever his level. It is a very comfortable pala, which makes the game easier, so I recommend it to everyone.

Some years people were not necessarily convinced by my rackets, but this year, like last year, people tell me that this racket is great.

  • Regarding the development of padel in the world

This internationalization of padel is very important. I played in France maybe 20 years ago. In 20 years, the padel has developed so much in France, it's incredible. Many French people come to Spain to play padel, try their luck to become a professional. It's very hard, especially economically, it's a gamble.

Countries like Sweden too, where the padel has experienced a real boom. When I see that people from 30 countries have voted in the Coupe de France racquets of padel, it really shows that the padel is growing globally.

I think the padel is in a development phase, I don't know if he will be able to catch up with tennis in 20 years. Tennis is a very strong sport in the world, especially financially. A sport that is over 100 years old. But the padel is growing at his own pace, over the last 5-6 years I think he has grown even more.

In many countries, players want to improve, and this allows club people to identify themselves, and want to improve in turn. I believe that the pyramid is being formed, with amateurs, club players at the base.

I think people used to play padel, but did not really know the best players in the sport. I believe that today with the media coverage of World Padel Tour, people know us, identify with each other and want to play a bit like us. Like when I see Federer playing tennis!

  • Regarding his playing style on the track

I have always had a slightly atypical style of play. I played small tennis, and I loved riding on the fly. I had a good game, I played well, but I never beat anyone (laughs). No, seriously, I never played at a good level, I was a club player, and nothing more. I played a lot, I trained, but never had good results. I stopped around 13-14 years old.

The basis of my padel comes from tennis, the par 3 smash, the smash-grid is exactly a second topspin serve in tennis. Forehands, backhands are a lot like what I used to do in tennis. At first when I started the padel, we were told that we always had to play slice, I have my theory, I don't know if it's good or bad but I play topspin, like that the ball dives towards the feet of the opponents and prevents them from be comfortable volleying.

For some time now, the young players of the circuit are 100% padel. Since Bela roughly, there are mostly players who have not played tennis. They have other qualities: they are much better than me in defense for example, they lob very well. It's a different game. Everyone does what they can with their qualities.

  • Regarding his goals this year with Lucas Campagnolo

I would like us to qualify for the master, I know it will not be easy because after my injury, I fell in the ranking. I have a protected classification, five tournaments (Editor's note: Juan Martin is currently classified 83rd in the WPT), so it will be hard. But the most important thing is that we have a good level, and that people say when they see Campagnol / Diaz on the board that they will not have an easy match. That's it, that's the goal.

  • Regarding the rest of his career

If I could I would play all my life, we will see this year how it goes. I hope we can play already this year. Finish the year, and play one more year because this half-season is a little frustrating. If I didn't hurt myself, I would never retire, it's my passion, it's that I love: traveling, playing.

I will try to play as long as possible!

To relive the interview, in Spanish, do not hesitate to visit our podcast:

 

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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