The first installment of the extensive interview that, along with our partner Daniel Gamarra Peñalver, we had with two of the best players of the World Paddle Tour Circuit. Do you feel like competing? How do you face the new season? Do not miss everything they told us.
Padel World Press .- It was a very desired talk, which began to take shape at the end of January and which was made "real" by the March 16. As always when we talked to them, the wait was worth it.
The members of the couple number 3 WPT Ranking told us how their preseason was being, what aspects they were working on, both individually and at the level of a couple, how the illusion is maintained about to face its fifth season as partners ...
Then we leave you with the first part of the interview with our partner Daniel Gamarra Peñalver ... 'Knowing Patty and Eli'.
How was the preseason? What have you worked the most?
Eli: He has focused on the physical part since the preseason is that stage of the year in which what is used for the rest of the year is worked on. At a technical level we have incorporated new blows to our game; Tactically, this season we are going to develop different ways of playing compared to previous years. We believe that now is the time to add these changes to our game so that we can bring it out into the season. We are aware that paddle tennis evolves.
Do you want to start competing?
Patty: Yes, we have a lot of desire. We have been with padel since February and since January with physical, so we are very excited to start. In addition, this year there have been improvements in the Circuit, which gives an extra bonus of motivation. In the sporting aspect, I think we have improved as a couple and individually, so we will face this stage with great enthusiasm.
Eli: I join, hehehe.
You have won the Spanish Championship by teams with the Zaragoza Tennis Club for the third consecutive year ... What are the keys to make the team work so well? How has the atmosphere been during the Championship?
Patty: In my case, I have been playing with the team for 9 years. For me, the group is like a family. When I started, they were all from Zaragoza. This year there have been specific signings but the essence of the block has been maintained over the years. We have spent a lot of time together before and during tournaments: we have trained together, we have shared meals and fantastic meetings in which we talked about the values to have on the track and in sport… We are a pineapple. I think that having that union prior to each game is a plus for the team for the tournaments. On the other hand, the atmosphere has been spectacular. Between games we have met to talk about the issues that are important to discuss before entering the court. I think that these meetings have been key to be able to win the tournament and above all to carry out the very tough final.
Eli: I agree with Patty and join in again… But I wanted to mention a topic that has been talked about a lot. Some people claimed that the team had an advantage over the rest because it included couples 1 and 3 in the world, but what is not taken into account is that both the twins and Patty or I have grown up at the Real Zaragoza Tennis Club . There we have trained as players. It was there where we started playing paddle tennis without being anyone yet. For me there are two keys to this team. The first is that we are all aware of the importance of each one, the points are worth the same and we all give ourselves the same; no one is worth more than anyone. The second reason is that our captain, Mariana Pérez, is very professional. She had been preparing for the Championship for several months, making lineups ... She is a hard worker, she likes what she does and she instills it in us.
Patty: Mariana sometimes surprises us with the lineups. She, strategically, always has an option that we had not imagined ... And that option gives us the key to win the championships.
Eli: Sometimes we play 'little kitchens', to try to find out the lineups. Then she comes and tells us "this, this and this" ... That's when we all look at each other and say "sure, it's true" ... I think that if we had to summarize the reason why we have won the tournament it is because each and every one of us we have thought more about the whole than about the individuality.
How do you face the next season?
Eli: Both Patty and I try to set goals that only depend on us. This idea may sound like a cliché but, if you think about it, it is logical since the only thing that depends on us is the intensity and desire with which we train every day. Unfortunately, the results do not depend only on us but on many factors ... But it is true that if things are done well, the results are more likely to arrive. I believe that this is our essence, to follow the line of improving day by day, without obsessing over the results.
Patty: In our hand is only to arrive at the tournaments with the peace of mind of having done well the daily work. We must bear in mind that we are going to face great rivals. We know that you can win or you can lose, you have to be aware of it but, above all, you have to give the best of us.
Will you continue teaching classes this year? How are you as coaches? What is the reason that pushes you to continue teaching?
Patty: During all these years we have trained a group of people who have been with us from the beginning. They are like family, we appreciate them very much and they share our way of seeing life, sport and paddle tennis. As a coach, I am similar to how I am on the track. I try to get my students to take something home at the end of class. The important thing is that they have fun but also learn.
Eli: I also teach that group with Patty but sometimes I get away lol, since I am very involved with the race. The truth is that teaching is one of those things that fulfills me and I love it. I come from the world of teaching and, for me, classes are a way to unite the two things that I like the most: paddle tennis and teaching. If you stop to think, teaching is a privilege since you work with people who come to play and have fun. Your work is all about fun. Obviously, students also have to learn but if you think about it, your work is based on people enjoying themselves and that is wonderful.
What technical aspects do you think you can improve as a couple? And individually?
Patty: We are working hard on the offensive aspect since we are aware that it is not our strong point. Although we are not very tall, we can still enhance this aspect.
You are starting your fifth year as a couple… How do you manage to maintain the illusion of the first day?
Eli: For me it is a privilege to play with Patty since on paddle tennis, as in life, it is difficult to find someone who has the same language and the same way of understanding life, paddle tennis and sport ... The same thing happens with Neki . The 3 of us form a team where I feel very comfortable and that is the important thing. My hope is to keep improving and get the best version of myself and, today, those who can help me get that version are Patty and Neki.
Patty: Eli and I are very different players and for that reason we complement each other so well. Each one takes things from the other. It is a way to learn from the person next to you.
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