“Up until three, four years ago there were no padel schools, now the clubs are equipped and all of northern Italy is growing.” On Milan Premier Padel: “The favorites are Coello-Tapia, they have something more”
Padel in Italy is in better shape than ever, Gustavo Spector knows this well. He, who led the national team from 2014 to 2022 and who perhaps contributed more than anyone to growing the movement in our country, now sees the fruits of his work. In recent days he has witnessed the heat of the Allianz Cloud up close for the champions of the Milan Premier Padel P1, the professional circuit is increasingly followed. While waiting for the finals, “Gus” takes stock of the situation on where we have arrived – and where we want to arrive.
Milan hosts the Premier Padel for the third time, participation grows year after year. How does this stage fit into the circuit?
“Milan is becoming a very desired stop. We are seeing an exponential growth of padel in all European countries, especially in Belgium, Holland and Germany, but not only: in recent days I have trained some Polish kids at the club (Spector Padel House, ed.), who have come to Milan to see the Premier Padel champions. Our city has the great fortune of being in the center of Europe. The location is truly favourable, it is part of the reason so many people come to Italy to watch the tournament.”
The success is remarkable, seeing so much participation from Allianz Cloud is proof of this.
“It’s true, although I believe we could aim even higher. The change of dates (from December to October) was a good idea, but it needed to be communicated with a little more clarity. And all the Milanese clubs should contribute to promoting the event, perhaps encouraging younger people to attend the matches. In this way, in addition to the usual full house we see at the weekend, we could also bring more spectators during the matches midweek”.
Also because Milan has the potential. In the last period it has proven to be the driving force of the Italian movement, and will soon reach Rome in terms of numbers.
“Rome initially developed much more rapidly, the Italian padel boom took place in the capital, but at the moment Milan and in general the whole of northern Italy is growing a lot in terms of initiatives.”
We are following the right path. How long will it take, then, before we see a couple of Italians in the tournament draw?
“In the meantime, we are enjoying Carolina Orsi, who is already in the women’s top 30. Understanding when we will see an Italian pair as protagonists is very difficult: the whole world of padel is increasingly competitive and there are really too many variables to consider. In any case, in Italy we are making giant strides. Until three, four years ago, padel schools almost didn’t exist, now the clubs have equipped themselves well: it is the first step to reach the goal. However, I believe that it will take a few years to see Italian players also move forward in the men’s draw, we need to have a little patience.”
The finals will be played in a few hours: which couples do you see as favourites?
“In the women’s I had predicted Brea-Triay as the winners, but Gemma’s (Triay) stop completely changed the scenario. Gonzalez-Fernandez advanced to the final without having to beat them, but I think that today they will not be able to overcome Sanchez-Josemaria. In the men’s we are witnessing a balanced show, Galan-Chingotto and Coello-Tapia alternated in the victories of the last stages. In my opinion, however, we are not starting from a 50-50, the number 1s – Coello and Tapia – always have something more than the others.”
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