Our colleague Daniel Gamarra Peñalver tells us about his last day as a 'special envoy' to one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Spanish paddle. Many moments to remember, many anecdotes and many experiences that will remain forever in his memory and that he has wanted to share with our readers.
Padel World Press .- On Saturday 26 in March I woke up at the 09: 00 in the morning, completely exhausted by everything I had experienced during the previous day (and night). However, it did not take long for me to wake up because the big day had arrived: that of the final of the José Martínez Memorial. I had been waiting for it all week and it was finally about to become a reality ... After a shower with music at full volume, I got dressed, picked up my newspaper articles and left the Hotel Congra, whose staff treated me great during my stay in Pilar de the Horadada.
At the door Pagán was waiting for me in his car, one of the members of the organization and whom I already consider as a friend, with whom I set off for the Pavilion. Along the way, we talked about how we thought it would be that last day. I have to admit that as soon as I got to the venue I felt a tingling inside me: the time of the Streaming was approaching.
I settled into my position, just behind the track, on a kind of platform that the organization had prepared so that Vicente and I could discuss the games. My partner started commenting on the first semifinal match of this Memorial, in which Jardim-Stupaczuk defeated Peter Alonso-Ernesto Moreno. Then I was the one who relayed the second semi and I must say that I was very nervous ... The screen of the Streaming indicated that there were 4.000 people listening to us live and that always imposes. Vicente, an experienced professional, gave me encouragement and some since it was my 'debut' and I had no idea how that experience was going to come out.
It was magical. As soon as I picked up the microphone, I let go and began to comment on the shock as I had often done in the stands of the WPT tournaments with my colleagues in the Padel World Press office. My boss was right: I could do it.
The meeting was incredible. The people could see a real great match, with two pairs very equal. The triumph ended up falling on the side of Gonzalo Rubio-Javier Ruiz after an agonizing tiebreak against Christian 'Sanyito' Gutiérrez-Antonio Luque. I think I did not do it all the wrong because once the duel ended I received several congratulations from the organization and from some spectators ... I had passed my first test.
I was a little tired, so I decided to eat and go to the hotel to review some of the interviews I had done during the previous days ... And again running to the Pavilion, which in just half an hour would start the fight for conquest match of the title.
Very applied, both Vicente and I had documented with data from the four contenders, as we did in the previous meetings that we commented on the Streaming ... People were filling the stands and soon we realized that there was going to be an absolute full . Diego González, the Speaker of the Memorial, began to animate the fans with his particular show ... It is a real phenomenon and the public had a great time with him.
The great moment was already here. The referee, Carlos Navarro, announced the start of the final, so I took the mic and started to present each player. Nerves had been removed; Vicente and I were more than ready.
The final was very close and left us incredible points. In one of them I released the phrase that went viral on social networks: "Write it down, Vicente." The truth is that it was not planned and it came from my soul. I think everyone was amused, including Andrea and Óscar… After all, the important thing is that people have fun and get hooked on the broadcast of what is still a great show by and for the fans.
Within the track, the match ended with the victory of Marcello and Stupa, who celebrated it in style. It was a well-deserved triumph for two players who made their debut as partners in this event although, yes, I can not ignore the great effort and the great tournament of Gonzalo Rubio-Javier Ruiz, according to what was seen in Pilar de La Horadada, they are going to give war, and a lot, during this season ... They are two true geniuses both on and off the track.
Then turn for the Exhibition in which Paquito Navarro-Pablo Lima faced Juani Mieres-Miguel Lamperti ... Pure magic in which the Rifle of Bahía Blanca and the Duende of Seville did not stop making impossible blows and 'dramatizing' the points for the public to enjoy to the fullest.
At its conclusion, gave way to the Award of each and every one of the categories, treated with the same importance and relevance ... And that is one of the main hallmarks of this Memorial: to treat equally to all players, from first to last in the ranking. In our stay in Pilar de la Horadada we could know that this was one of the values of José Martínez and, how could it be otherwise, that principle is maintained in what has been, is and will be the tribute to the pádel pioneer in this Alicante town.
To conclude, both players and members of the organization went to the restaurant 'La Granja', an 10 site where I could share dinner with those who had been my companions during that week (Pagan and his wife, Márquez, Satu , Alberto, Eduardo, Manu and his family, Panderas, Pocho, Jaime or the very Caliche) ... All of them, together with the rest of the people of the organization, have been able to make this Memorial reach its seventh edition and have been the most watched of its history, with more than 10.000 reproductions in Youtube in less than 2 days.
At dinner I shared very nice moments with the players. I sat at the table of the family of Mieres and next to Lamperti. I do not say more: constant laughter. They did not spend more than 30 seconds without Miguel, Juani and I laughing. In general, the thanks were said by Miguel, but Mieres, whom he did not know much about, is also a potential joker. In all respects, he and Lamperti make a great couple. Highlight that I had the pleasure of meeting the mother of Mieres, who told me some anecdotes of his son and paddle in general. I had a great time at his side and I can say that it is a source of wisdom, as well as a great player, according to Miguel.
Later I sat with Jardim, whom I again apologized for calling him Argentine during the Streaming. At first he reproached me a bit but at the end of dinner that failure became the joke that will keep me forever.
Then I sat with Paquito, Ernesto and Peter who were with their respective partners. With them I also laughed a lot. The Globe Trotters are real pranksters. Paco and Ernesto did me the favor of taking me to my hotel.
This is how the last day in the José Martínez Memorial ended for me. Who would say that this young shovel fan was going to get dinner and share great moments with his childhood idols.
Daniel Gamarra
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