These may be small, insignificant, even unconscious facts, just as they may be signs that the sequel is already being prepared in the minds of Fernando Belasteguin and his partner Arturo Coello.

After their defeat in the final, the 1-year-old former world No. 43 paid tribute to the winners, the public, and to the “21-year-olds” with whom he plays "I want to continue to make every effort to be able to continue to play such tournaments in front of you and to do so alongside 21-year-old boys, which I appreciate very much”.

Climb the steps of glory

Even if, in pronouncing these words, he pointed to his Spanish teammate, Belasteguin did not name Arturo Coello at the microphone. And he used a plural, "chicos de 21", as if he included in this category one of his previous partners, Agustin Tapia, and perhaps also the future young nuggets to whom it will allow to climb the steps of glory in an accelerated way.

Speaking briefly afterwards, Arturo Coello paid tribute to Lima (“a former world No. 1) and Stupa (“a great player”), then he felt that “all four played a great match” . But he didn't thank or pay tribute or even quote his teammate, who looked down during the remarks. Obviously, this oversight can be explained by the youth of the native of Valladolid, who had other opportunities to honor his legendary mentor during their crazy week in Mendoza.

We can also see the frustration still present after coming so close to victory. Coello notably had to compensate, in the first set, for the failures of a Bela who suffered martyrdom in his diagonal against Stupa, before pulling himself together.

Fernando Belasteguin Arturo Coello

A dream week, but a frustrating defeat

Above all, at 7-6 for Bela / Coello in the final tie-break, we will remember the strong image of a Coello holding his head in despair and almost falling backwards after their missed match point. This gesture followed a topspin smash from Stupa hit from very far and passed over the head of Belasteguin, yet well placed at the net. In place of Bela, Coello (or another young player) would undoubtedly have jumped vertically and made an unstoppable par 4.

Arturo Coello takes the lead after Stupa's smash on their match point

But Belasteguin, 43, may no longer have the relaxation and explosiveness necessary for this kind of defense, especially after three hours of play. On this so important smash, the legend of Pehuajó bent his legs but gave up jumping, not taking off a centimeter. For once, he proved his famous maxim: “A Belasteguin never gives up”.

Four points later, the match was folded, but in favor of Stupa and Lima. The sequel – “both deserved to win this match” – is storytelling from stylish players, who know and like each other. But for Bela and even more so for Coello, Mendoza will go down as a dream week, ending in a frustrating defeat.

Younger, stronger, faster

They will obviously be able to recover and surely win other titles, together or separately. But in Mendoza, Arturo Coello sometimes played on cloud nine, beating the best and approaching the firmament of the padel. One day soon it will cease to be the shy boy who apologizes for his mistakes with his illustrious and legendary teammate, world No. 1 for 16 years. That day is approaching when Coello will fully realize his worth and will want to step out of Belasteguin's shadow to fly on his own.

coello smash mendoza

Bela, to continue to shine, needs a younger teammate, more powerful, faster than him and jumping higher. With his meter ninety, his “arms of 17 meters” (the expression is from the Frenchman Thomas Leygue), his incredible relaxation and his super-powerful left-handed leg, Coello has the ideal profile. It will therefore be difficult to replace, even if there is no shortage of talented young players.

How long will Bela be able to hold him off? For how long will Coello still need Bela's science and aura?

After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme falls into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves pala in hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.

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