A lover of challenges, the Brazilian player faced one of the most complicated challenges of his career at the Sevilla Open ... And that is because he had Javi Garrido as his courtmate, a young promise of the national padel of just 16 years. With firm stride, they achieved three victories and were one step away from entering the Main Draw. A great feat that will undoubtedly boost the morale of the Orygen 'flagship'.
Padel World Press .- He is one of the best defensive players in the Professional Circuit; He is a great professional, full of sports and human qualities that make him be loved by both fans and their colleagues.
This 2016 may not be his best season in terms of results, but despite this, what no one can doubt is his effort, dedication and delivery to the maximum in each game.
In a recent talk with his teammates from Orygen, the Porto Alegre man analyzed his performances during the current campaign and spoke of his goals for the coming months ... Among them, is to sign a good performance in the XIII World Championship for National Teams, in which he will defend Brazil and in which he will make his young brand 'debut' in one of the most important competitions on the International Federation Calendar.
You are facing your first season with Orygen… How about your new brand?
Very happy for everything: for the treatment, for the materials, the quality of the shovels. The other day I jumped on the track with six shovels and people told me if I could give him one (laughs).
In the last tournaments we have seen you wielding the Orygen Epic. What does this shovel offer you?
It is a shovel that generates me very good sensations. In La Coruña I will repeat with her. It gives me a lot of confidence when it comes to blocking, of hitting in the background ... With it, I feel the ball very much and, in addition, it has a particular sound that makes me fall in love.
How was the experience at the Sevilla Open WPT with Javi Garrido?
I did not know Javi much but he surprised me for good. It was a pleasant surprise. I went to Seville with the idea of competing and I did not imagine that we were going to win three games and that we were going to be at the gates of the Final Draw. We lost the last one, but we were there. I was very excited to play with a kid like him. You could tell he was excited and that motivated me too.
Was it a breath of fresh air for you?
There was no pressure of any kind, at least from my part… Although maybe maybe from his, from playing alongside me. But it was not noticed. He perfectly endured all the games and played luxury. I left Seville very happy because I was enjoying myself on the track again. The experience was very good for me.
How would you rate the current season?
I started the year very motivated, playing with Cristian Ozán. In the end he could not stay longer in Spain and it was a shame, because we started very well. We won in the first match of Gijón to the 14 couple (Botello-Concepción), without ever having trained together. I thought that if we trained regularly, we would do very well but unfortunately Cristian left again for Argentina. From there many changes of couple arrived and it became difficult to get results.
How do you face the rest of the year with your new partner?
Yes, I'm going to play the Previas of Argentina and in A Coruña with 'Pincho' Fernández. I've been a player to always train a lot with my partner and this year I missed that. I came to the tournaments with a new partner and we directly jumped to the track, without training. With 'Pincho' it will be different because we have been training together for a long time. I know him well and for me it is a motivation to play with him. We are two 'warriors' on the track and we will not be lacking attitude in every game.
What objectives have you raised until the end of the season?
The objective now in the short term is to enter the Final Drawings and then try to play well. We will face each tournament without much pressure, with the idea of recovering the good feelings and, in my case, feeling good on the track. In the long term, the goal is to recover the good feelings. For me, that's the main thing: finish the year well to face the next in an optimistic way. The key is to feel good sensations.
Another important challenge for you will be the World Cup by National Teams that will be played in Portugal.
So is. For me it is a very important tournament and it will be good for me to play the World Cup with Brazil to continue recovering confidence in my game. I have played many World Championships in my career, but this one is particularly good for that reason. It is always a plus to play for your country.
Because there's still Chico for a while, right?
Of course. I hope to play at least five more years. I have 35 years and I see myself playing until the 40. There are players in the Circuit with 41 or 42 years that maintain a great level. Of course, every time it becomes more difficult because from behind come many young players pressing hard.
Has the overall level of the WPT Circuit increased this year?
Yes. Now there are players in the Previews who, by level, could be perfectly playing Cuadro. The only thing they lack is to get positive results. I think there are several young kids who could play perfectly with the best, without clashing. Now there is a litter of young people who start before and who emerge from very young. There is more and more competition
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