Julio Alegria is one of pioneers padel in Spain. At the initiative of the creation of the first federation in the world, that of Pays Basque, he was the president of the FEP for a term, as well as a very good padel player in the early days of the sport. Here is an excerpt from our video conference exchange.

“I made sure that padel was approved as a sport”

Lorenzo Lecci Lopez: When padel arrived in Spain, how did you manage the situation with the tennis federation?

Julio Alegria: “It was on the one hand very hard, and on the other hand easier. They considered the padel as a little game, something for fun… We had seen him at Marbella, and we decided to import it to Bilbao. My tennis club didn't want to put in a padel court, so we went to see the golf clubs. In Spain, it's mainly by golf clubs that padel has become established. It gave them a plus that didn't take up space. Tennis wanted us to join them to have more money. ”

"I believed in the future of padel from the beginning. I fought for courts to be built. One day I was told “yes yes we are going to make you short so that you can play with your friends”, and I got angry. Very quickly a lot of people wanted to play. ”

"Padel must get rid of tennis federations. I'm sorry, but that's how it is. In 1992, the Basque federation was the first approved in the world. I have succeeded in getting approved as a sport. "

The theories of the master

Julio Alegria: “I always said that padel is the coolest sport. The first day you start and you have fun. The second day you think you're McEnroe or Pete Sampras - when they were gods -. The third day any guy comes along and beats you. Padel may be easy for you, but it's also easy for him.”

“My other theory about padel is that a magnificent point is worth as much as making your opponent miss. I wasn't a spectacular player, but I was very annoying for my opponents. I gave it all back. At the time, lobbing was frowned upon, but that didn't matter to me, I would lift the ball into the sky, and they would tell me it would fall like snow. I did what I knew how to do.”

julio joy padel biscaia

“When there is money at stake, it is difficult to find agreements”

Lorenzo Lecci Lopez: I'm going to ask you the same question as to Alfredo Garbisu. In an interview, Bela told me “They should put their egos aside and sit at the same table for the good of padel”. What do we need to develop padel in a healthier way?

Julio Alegria: "Any kind of competition other than the WPT looks good to me. At the beginning in tennis it was complicated too. The best thing would be if everyone got together of course. ”

“I met Belasteguin in Argentina when he won a minor tournament with Mati Diaz. Later, he told us he would sign with us, and then he signed with the WPT. But I understand, they convinced him, and I get along well with him. Professional padel is sometimes very “bad”. If you are offered a lot of money, I can understand, even if I don’t share that mentality.”

“When there is money at stake, coming to agreements can be difficult, and with everyone's interests, even more so.”

alfredo garbisu lorenzo skype interview

“Alfredo Garbisu would be an excellent president of the FIP”

Lorenzo Lecci Lopez: You have the number 9 padel license, and you continue to pay for it even though you can no longer play. What does this license mean to you?

Julio Alegria: "With all the money that padel has cost me, I'm not going to care about that anymore (laughs). I am very proud of it. The n ° 1 was reserved for the King, the following ones were reserved for the presidents ... I think I have the oldest. Unfortunately, I've been unable to play for several years. It is a great pride for me. I would have liked to have been hung up on me like basketball jerseys! ”

Lorenzo Lecci Lopez: What could you change at the moment at VET?

Julio Alegria:“I don't watch the news too much. I don't wanna be the grumpy grandpa, I think I would probably change things, but they do a good job. I know Alfredo did a good job. When we worked together, we communicated very well. ”

"Alfredo Garbisu would be a excellent president for the FIP. I put it in the Basque federation, then in the Spanish federation. ”

Find the exchange with Julio Alegria just below:

From his names, we can guess his Spanish and Italian origins. Lorenzo is a multilingual passionate about sports: journalism by vocation and events by worship are his two legs. He is the international gentleman of Padel Magazine. You will often see him at various international competitions, but also at major French events. @eyeofpadel on Instagram to see his best padel photos!

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