The Professional Circuit is about to visit the Principality of Monaco for the first time in its history ... But it will not be the first attempt to consolidate and reinforce this sport in French lands and its surroundings. 15 years ago, a World Championship was organized in Toulouse and since the World Pádel Tour it has been wanted to talk about that appointment with several of those who were its main protagonists.
Padel World Press .- With a large Central Court set up in the Plaza del Capitolio, for a week the best players in the world fought for the conquest of the most coveted title in this wonderful sport in the town of Toulouse.
The final victory fell on the side of Hernán Auguste, current Director of International Expansion of the World Pádel Tour, and Juan Martín Díaz, who beat Gaby Reca (a French national) and Seba Nerone in the grand final.
The four protagonists wanted to remember all that lived in that appointment, in addition to sharing their expectations about the Master that will take place in Monegasque lands.
What memories do you have of the Toulouse World Cup of the year 2000?
John Martin: I have a spectacular memory because it was the first World Cup that I won. I played with Hernán and we were the favorites with Gaby and Seba. Precisely we got the two couples to the final in a tournament that was not easy because the track was moving a lot and it was difficult to play. The setting was incomparable, in the Plaza del Capitolio, and I have very good memories of that experience.
Hernán Auguste: Undoubtedly, it is an indelible memory. We left champions together with Juan Martín and we achieved the goal we were looking for that year. It was a very tight final against Reca-Nerone and already in the semifinals we had won the couple who had dominated the paddle in recent years: Alejandro Lasaigues and Roby Gattiker.
Gaby Reca: For the result I would say that for me the memory is a bit bitter because we lost the final in the third set. But undoubtedly it was a great experience for the place where it was played, for the organization and the people who came at a time when the paddle was not as expanded as now.
Seba Nerone: It was a very atypical tournament; on the one hand very nice because it was played in the heart of Toulouse, in the Plaza del Capitolio, which is the same as putting the track in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. That made the environment very good. The bad was the result of the final, because we lost by 6-4 in the third in a very tight way, with a single break at the end of the game.
How do you see this first Master in Monte-Carlo?
JM: Everything indicates that it will be spectacular. The work of Nito Brea and Fabrice Pastor is incredible and I think it will give a good boost to the padel there. We hope it will be for many years.
HA: I see it as a tournament that can mark the beginning of the international expansion of the paddle. It will be a spectacular test where all the details will be taken care of to the fullest.
GR: I have been there last week and there is great expectation. I go one week a month to give classes and the place is magnificent. Both Nito Brea and Fabrice Pastor are trying to make the tournament unique and we will be amazed with the facilities and the care of the players. Without a doubt, they will fulfill expectations.
SN: On the subject of organization I give 10 points. I have a lot of faith in this tournament and I know the enthusiasm of the people of Monte Carlo. It will be an appointment in which everything will be very careful and can become the best event of the year.
What do you know about the current status of padel in France?
JM: In recent years it has grown a little more. I know Robin Haziza and Jeremy Sacatena, a French couple that has been around for many years and who lack a push to finish off. I think this tournament can be a great incentive for the padel to consolidate.
HA: It is growing more and more. All the time I hear new clues that are being made in this country and surely, in the future, France will be one of the most important countries in the world padel.
GR: Very large steps are being taken. In Nice it is played quite, there was a tournament with almost 50 pairs and some 200 spectators. Every time there are more clubs and there are already several places designed to put covered tracks. From here to 5 years, the paddle will have an important international growth.
SN: I do not know much about padel in France but, of what I'm sure, it's that there are a lot of people, especially from my surroundings, who are working to make it grow.
* 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 .
