A new installment of the interviews that from the Spanish Federation have made to the top managers of the different groups that will take part in the Spanish Championship for Teams of 1ª Category ... It is time to get to know the hosts more closely: the Esportiu Tarragona Paddle Indoor (TPI).
Padel World Press .- To finish, and once arrived at the March 11, the day on which the competition will begin, the FEP will present the women's team that will "play at home" and will do so with a clear objective: to ensure permanence. In the first round, they will have to measure their strength with those of the Chamartín Tennis Club, a very experienced squad, accustomed to compete and with a lot of tradition in this event.
Luis Ferrini, captain of the TPI, assured that he has a very compact block, which will give him versatility and competitiveness in all the pairs. These factors have been key to explain his vertiginous rise from 3ª to 1ª Categoría and now, before his audience, they will try to continue growing with the support of their fans.
Will you have the same team that achieved permanence last year?
The base is the same as last year's, we have one player coming in, Sara Pujals and another one coming out, Ariana Sánchez.
How is the preparation going? Have you managed to gather the majority of players for the Catalonia Championship?
Well, the truth is that it is difficult to join all of them, but having as you say the Catalonia Championship, we took advantage of it to have all the team together.
How did you see your players throughout that tournament in Catalonia?
The truth that well ... We had a very tough final against RC Polo but we are very happy because we could take the victory by 3-2.
How are you living in the club this tournament considering that you are the hosts?
There is a lot of expectation to see all the stars of the world playing at home. The truth is that we are all very anxious: those of us who work every day, the members, users and everyone who is related to this club.
Do you think that playing at home gives you an advantage or maybe it can cause you a lot of pressure because you do not want to disappoint your people?
I hope you play in favor, really. I believe that the club will be full and there will be many fans cheering. I want the girls to know how to get along.
Your opponent in the first round will be CT Chamartin, a priori, among the top seeds, perhaps the most affordable. How do you see this confrontation?
The truth is that if. If, a priori, we had to have chosen one of the raffles before the tournament, we would have chosen number four. From there, is a tough rival because they are all players who have a lot of quality: Icíar of all life and others who are playing very well. We have a very complicated elimination ahead but good, we will try it.
You have gone from playing in 3ª in 2013 to doing it in 1ª in 2015. How have you experienced this rise so quickly?
Everything has gone round. The plan was this, get to 1ª. The girls have always supported the project and they were also very excited to play in the top flight. We have played with most teams in Catalonia where the level is very high and we have been good at things, we have competed well and every year we have promoted. Last year we also managed to maintain the category, which is also our goal for the season, so we will try again.
Last year you fell 5-0 against Zaragoza in the first round and won 4-1 in the tie for salvation. Would you sign the same results as captain?
Yes, our goal is clear, permanence. The idea is to try to stay a few years and reach semis later ... But right now, saving ourselves is the only priority.
What characteristics define this Esportiu TPI as a team?
I think I have a very even team, so this gives the block a lot of versatility when it comes to aligning players. There is none that stands out too much from the others, or that there are four or five stars and that the others feel less. That is what has always made me competitive in all categories.
What do you think are the most difficult decisions that you have to face as a captain of this team?
They always tend to be those related to alignment. The fact of having to leave someone outside is something that you do not like ... But as a captain, my job is to get to know the team and know what is most convenient in each moment. In addition to this, raise the best strategy to help the team and during the match some tactical consideration.
Finally, Nuria Rivas, a player who has been present since the beginning of this project, said: "For me, as a player, not only is it an honor to be able to compete in the Spanish Team Championship, but also to be able to play it in Tarragona Padel Indoor, club that I represent and admire, I find even more rewarding. I believe that the CFI is a reference club in Catalonia and that in a few years it has become a great club that keeps growing and investing in padel in general and in women in particular. On a personal level, I am very happy for the achievements of the club that trusted me from the beginning and gave me an opportunity when I was a mother and was not in great physical shape. They deserve it for doing things well. I am proud that we have arrived where we are. We are a great team, so there is no other way than this weekend to leave the flag high and defend our colors until the end. "
* 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 .
