Sacred in Bordeaux Premier Padel After their victory in the final against Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea (4-6, 6-1, 6-1), Claudia Jensen and Tamara Icardo were able to count on a particularly emotional Maxi Gabriel. A few minutes after the triumph, the Argentinian coach spoke to Padel Magazine An interview about the duo's tactical preparation, the emotion that overwhelmed them at the moment of victory, and the mental keys that allowed their players to defeat the best pair in the world. 

"Claudia's father and I prepare for the matches together."

 Padel Magazine :  Cristina, from Padel MagazineAre the strategies prepared with Claudia's father, or do you define the tactics alone?

 Maxi Gabriel:  Sometimes we prepare them together. Beyond being Claudia's father, Cristian is a longtime friend. We talk a lot. When he's not traveling to a tournament, he often calls me to tell me he's watched the matches of our future opponents or to share his analysis. I do the same for him. We really complement each other, and that helps us a lot.

"I broke down because I know all the sacrifices they make."

 Padel Magazine :  Tamara and Claudia told us that you burst into tears at the end of the match. How did you feel?

 Maxi Gabriel:  I was overcome with emotion because I have a great deal of affection for them. They are two exceptional players, but above all, two extraordinary people who work tirelessly.

We all know the effort this profession demands. It's not just the training. There are also the weeks spent away from home, the constant travel, and all the daily sacrifices. When work like that is rewarded with a victory in a tournament of this importance, naturally, emotions run high.

Maxi Gabriel: "Against the number ones, we mustn't change our strategy, we must hold on until they drop."

"No, I don't cry after every victory!"

 Padel Magazine :  Are you also emotional after every match?

 Maxi Gabriel:  (Smiling) No, not really! There are matches that you're supposed to win. But when you win a tournament like this one, with everything it represents, it's a very special feeling.

"I told them not to change anything."

 Padel Magazine :  It was a first final for this pair. After losing the first set against Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea, you then won the next two 6-1, 6-1. What did you say to them during the changeover?

 Maxi Gabriel:  I simply told them that they were already playing very well.

On the other side, Gemma and Delfi were simply showing why they were the world number ones. We absolutely mustn't panic or change our strategy.

I told them again that they had to continue in exactly the same way. If the number ones maintain their top level, they beat almost everyone. But if they drop their intensity even slightly and we continue to play at our level, then the match can turn around.

The biggest danger would have been trying to do more or completely changing our game plan. That's often when the game slips away from you.

Maxi Gabriel: "Against the number ones, we mustn't change our strategy, we must hold on until they drop."

"The break at the start of the second set changed everything."

 Padel Magazine :  What do you think turned the game around?

 Maxi Gabriel:  The break we obtained very quickly at the beginning of the second set helped us enormously.

Mentally, it gave them confidence. If this break hadn't come so quickly, the scenario would undoubtedly have been different.

I also told them about something I experienced when I was a player.

When I faced the number ones, I always told myself: "If I play at 8 out of 10 and they also play at 8, they beat me. But if I stay at 8 and they drop to 7, then I have a chance."

That's exactly what happened today. We kept playing our game without getting distracted, and that's what made the difference.

"The word 'champions' will definitely be in the video."

 Padel Magazine :  One last question. You're also very active on YouTube. What will you call this episode about Bordeaux?

 Maxi Gabriel:  (Laughs) I don't know the title yet, but I can already tell you that the word will definitely be in it.  “champions”  on the thumbnail!

This YouTube channel is primarily a hobby. I enjoy sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of our profession. In fact, I've been doing this for a very long time. Before YouTube, I already had a blog when I was a gamer.

I would have loved to find the videos from that time when I traveled with Fernando Belasteguín and other great players, but unfortunately I no longer have them. Today, it's simply another way of telling the story of our daily life on the tour.

Through his answers, Maxi Gabriel perfectly summarizes the success of  Claudia Fernández  et  Tamara Icardo  In Bordeaux: don't rush things against the best players in the world, stick to the same game plan despite losing the first set, and believe that the slightest lapse in concentration from your opponent can turn the tide of a final. This philosophy paid off with a resounding victory.  4/6 6/1 6/1 , synonymous with their first title together on the circuit Premier Padel.

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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