A new installment of the interviews arrives, thanks to which FEP team we will get to know more closely the rivals that the Spanish teams will have in the Group Stage of the XIIIº World Championship by National Teams. What will we discover about the national men's team in Brazil?
Padel World Press .- Set in Group B along with Spain, Germany and the hosts, Portugal, the pupils of Beto Ferreira will try to become one of the main protagonists of the event in Portugal despite not being able to count on their two most important players: Pablo Lima and Marcello Jardim.
Ambitious and non-conformist, the coach aims to take his team back to the top three.
Do not miss this interview made by the Spanish Federation.
How do you see the team facing the World Cup? Have you had the opportunity to gather most of the players in preparation for the tournament?
I see the team very prepared. They are all full and I fully trust them. Before the Championship we were not able to get together since many of the squad live in different places… That is why we came to Cascais a few days before the World Cup begins, to get 100% connected and adapt to the conditions of the track.
How long have you been as a coach and how was that opportunity presented to you?
I have been working in the Brazilian Federation for about fifteen or sixteen years and, as a coach, since the 2000 year. I have been able to attend most of the World Cups that have been held since I was in office, with the sole exception of 2006, due to some personal problems.
Much has been said about the loss of two players like Pablo Lima and Marcello Jardim. Do you think that his absence can affect the team a lot?
Yes, they are two irreplaceable players. I spoke with Pablo a few months before the World Cup and he explained that this year he had had many physical problems and that he wanted to spend time with his family and recover. Marcello's case is different. He has had problems with the Federation for a long time and although we have always tried to go, he has refused to play with his country. I guess it's something that does not motivate you too much. They are very important losses because if we had them in our team, we could compete against anyone.
Juan Manuel Rodríguez, Portugal coachHe explained that his main rival is Brazil in order to reach the next phase. Do you think Portugal is also your biggest rival to access rooms?
Yes, especially if we take into account that Spain has a great team and that it is very difficult to face it. I think Portugal is our biggest rival to qualify for the quarter-final round, although we should never underestimate Germany.
How have you seen the evolution of paddle tennis in Brazil and your team in particular?
We are gradually growing with the reordering of the Brazilian Padel Federation. In the south of Brazil is where this development is being noticed but, nevertheless, it is still necessary to join such important enclaves as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo so that this sport takes off all over the country. In the regions of Santa Catarina or Rio Grande Sur is where most paddle tennis players are currently and we hope that in a few years it will be equal in the rest of the country.
Except for the last World Cup, since 1996 you have not dropped off the podium, becoming runners-up in 2006, ahead of Spain, and also in 2012. Do you consider yourself the third power of padel or do you prefer to be cautious about the development of padel in other countries?
Yes, we must be more cautious because we, in Palma de Mallorca, are in fifth place. This year the other teams are even stronger, and we have prepared ourselves with that idea: equal to that level and try to recover at least that third place that we have achieved so many times.
Finally, a wish you have for this World Cup?
Playing at a good level every game, especially against Spain, and trying to qualify for the next round to the two selections would be wonderful. I hope this is a great World Cup in which people enjoy the best paddle.
Brazil will debut on Tuesday, at 18: 15 hours, against Germany. A day later, at the 11: 00, he will meet the Spanish National Team.
Until then the Beto boys will continue to prepare to return to be among the three best teams in the world despite the important losses they bring.
Image: Twitter Lucas Cunha
* You can follow all the news of the world of paddle in our profiles of Facebook y Twitter as well as subscribe to our Newsletter .
