The Pretoria P1 didn't wait for the round of 1 to make headlines. Held at an altitude of 338 meters, the first tournament on the circuit to be played in South Africa offers unprecedented playing conditions that are already fueling discussions. Despite the use of a ball specially designed for altitude, several figures on the circuit believe that the pace of play remains excessive. 

A specific ball… but still an ultra-fast game

To limit the effects of altitude, the organizers chose the  Bullpadel Premium Pro High Altitude , a ball developed with reduced pressure in order to slow down the exchanges.

On paper, the solution seemed appropriate. In reality, the first matches showed that the court remained one of the fastest of the season. Smashes fly, rallies are shorter, and players have to contend with sensations very different from those encountered at most other stops on the tour.

These unusual conditions quickly sparked initial reactions.

Maxi Gabriel does not hide his annoyance

The sequence that generated the most reaction occurred during the match between  Coki Nieto / Jon Sanz  à  Enri Goenaga / Manu Castaño .

During a change of ends in the second set,  Maxi Grabiel Coki Nieto and Jon Sanz's coach, let his frustration explode:

"We can't play like this, they're destroying padel. That's the reality."

These comments illustrate the unease felt by some players and staff in the face of these particularly fast playing conditions.

Maxi Gabriel does not hide his annoyance

A surprise elimination for the No. 6 seed

After a battle lasting more than two hours, the Spanish pair were finally defeated.  7/6(3) 6/7(4) 6/4 .

This victory is one of the first major upsets of the tournament. Just  17 years Enri Goenaga, partnered with Manu Castaño, secured a remarkable qualification for the round of 16 against the sixth-ranked pair.

Coki Nieto calls for adaptation

After this elimination,  Coki Nieto  He preferred to take a step back. In a message posted on his social media, the Madrid player acknowledged that the circumstances required a reassessment.

"I've always had a well-defined playing style, but padel is evolving and current conditions require continued progress. You have to adapt and keep working to compete with the best."

This statement goes beyond the day's result alone. For Nieto, the ability to adapt to Pretoria could become a determining factor throughout the week.

A tournament where adaptation could make the difference

The first few days have already shown that the level of the teams might not be the only decisive factor in South Africa. Between the altitude, the speed of the track, and the behavior of the ball, the usual benchmarks are being challenged.

Under these conditions, pairs capable of quickly adjusting their game could gain a significant advantage. And while the early rounds have already delivered a major upset, the Pretoria P1 draw could well offer more surprises before the end of the week.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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