It is one of the names of this sport, a coach who has managed to carve out his prestige based on hard work, sacrifices and many hours of study. Consecrated in the Professional Circuit, he faces an 2014 full of challenges, challenges and motivations.
Padel World Press .- It was news a few weeks ago, confirming through social networks that ended his stage with Maxi Sanchez and Sanyo Gutiérrez, players who had known how to get the most out of them and with whom he had managed to form the revelation pair of the last season Nobody explained that decision, there were many rumors and hypotheses but that is something that should be among the protagonists of that story.
With the sole purpose of talking about padel, from Padel World Press we want to get a little closer to the figure of Rodri Ovide, a person who started in this sport "at the 11 years, when they opened a paddle club right next to my house . So I started there with my friends until, the following year, my father opened a club nearby and, as you can imagine, I almost lived in his facilities until 2009, when I came to Spain. "
Despite his prestige and recognition, he is the youngest of all the technicians and could almost still be playing on the Circuit: "I decided to hang the shovel because I realized it was bad hahaha ... In 2009, when I arrived in Spain, my idea was to play. However, my priority was to achieve economic stability, so I can tell you that I played little and nothing ... One afternoon, Gaby Reca, who has known me since the 14 years, told me to go train with him and, just in that practice, he asked me to tell him what he thought or what he could correct ... So I did it and he liked it. We stayed the next two days and, at the third, Bebe Auguste joined. They asked me how I felt they should play, I told them and my idea convinced them. We started training, the results accompanied from the beginning and won two tournaments almost in a row ... At that moment I defined what my future would be like. Later I trained Cata and Valeria, who won Bilbao, Valencia and reached the Masters final. That was the moment in which all the doubts that I had and in which I decided to continue along that path dissipated. "
Being a newcomer, having been able to deal with two 'geniuses' like Bebe and Gaby help us understand that Rodri is a person with truly spectacular maturity, personality and teaching skills: “The truth is that, as the first experience, it was the best without a doubt. I grew up watching Bebe play and having to say things to him in moments of tension was not easy for me ... But I met two very professional people who were very committed to the project, who gave me 100% confidence to speak and express my way of seeing things. That reassured me and gave me confidence. It is true that both have a strong character and sometimes it was very difficult to say the things that he saw… But I think it turned out well. I will always be grateful to Gaby, for trusting me from the first minute. Also to Bebe, who followed him, although I must say that my first Pro player was Cutu Pérez Millán, one of my best friends, hahaha ”.
How does that lead to being the youngest of the elite technicians? Well, very naturally and with that simple, humble and spontaneous way of being characterized by: "I wear it very well and with a lot of responsibility because I know that they are focused on that, both the players and the other coaches. I like to be up to the challenges that I have ... I am aware that, because of my age, many will question knowledge but the players know me and know that I played all my life. It is very different to be a player or coach but I think this last one was better for me hahahaha ... On the other hand, I admit that I am very excited about it. Being the youngest I know that, as the years go by and because of my way of being, I will continue to learn a lot and try to be a better coach every day. In general, my relationship with the other coaches is good. With some I have more affinity than with others but that is normal in all areas of life. I do not think that between us there is war of egos. We understand that we are few and that players are always going to look for a change when things do not work ".
Analytical, meticulous and very perfectionist, at the time of defining it is clear that he would do it as: "One of those coaches that adapt to their players. I recognize that I have my vision of the game that I like but I am a firm believer in the importance of the conditions and tastes of my players. That's what I'm trying to get the most out of. In turn, I am very passionate and emotional, so I get involved sometimes for others. That, sometimes, can be negative but good, it's my way of being and I enjoy it. " Questioned by the basic points of his teaching methodology, he told us: "The fundamental pillar is to understand the game, to know what it is about, how to play each ball and why. I am one of those who thinks that we have to give a sense to all the blows, basing them on an adequate impact point according to the type of blow and the place where I want to send the ball. "
How could it be otherwise, we refer to the unexpected goodbye to Maxi Sánchez and Sanyo Gutiérrez. In that sense, he reiterated: "The decision should be made the day before to communicate it to the children. It was something very thoughtful and very thoughtful together with my psychologist, Juan Cañadas. It was due to personal issues. As I told you, I feel the work in a passionate and emotional way; I get involved a lot and I have a very noble and ethical way of thinking. That's why I decided, despite the success, to abandon the ship at that time. I wanted to give Sanyo and Maxi a prudential time to look for a new coach and, in that way, not harm them once the circuit started. "
With Raúl Díaz, Chiqui Cepero, Pitu Losada and Cutu Pérez Millán as pupils, the challenges and objectives that he has set for all of them: “They are very similar. In the two couples, the first thing will be to find their way of playing, in such a way that they feel comfortable and that, in this way, they perform at their best both in terms of level of play and results ... And the latter are the ones who command " .
Given his experience with players, we wanted to ask him about the existing differences ... It was a commitment, from which he knew how to leave with his usual elegance: "Yes, I have to admit that they are very different. I'm not saying better or worse. But yes very different. To men, because of our condition, I understand them better and the dialogue is more 'normal', hahaha. With the girls I had to learn to communicate in a different way, with other forms, other treatments ... However, what struck me most is that the girls get more involved with their coach. They are more emotional and, as I do that very well, I like it. "
Not everyone is trained to know how to transmit. The work of a coach is not easy and you have to be constantly recycling and training: "It is a daily task, talking with colleagues, taking courses, reading articles. You have to investigate people who were good at other sports, see how they study, how they work, etc. Nowadays, the information there is very large and, luckily, I am curious and I like to investigate. "
Passionate about his work, he enjoys the professional players alike than his amateur groups: "They are different things because the amateur has a much better improvement and very little information. The joy it shows is greater and also the gratitude and complicity ... The Pro has a lot of information in his head. In that case, the merits go on the side of order, the right word and the details in the game. "
Restless and very active, Rodri is unable to sit still. For that reason, he revealed to us some of the numerous projects he has in mind for the coming months: "Luckily there is always something; I do not know if it is because it is sought unconsciously or because it arises, hahaha. The first thing is to continue working with Chiqui-Raúl and Cutu and Pitu. That is the priority. Then, I want to grow my school and be able to get my book out once and for all, I finished it a year and a half ago. "
After the uncertainty, and once the WPT 2014 Calendar is published, what do you expect from the season that is about to begin? From his experience, he confessed: "I hope that the players are happy with the agreement and that they can enjoy their work to the fullest ... To the people who are in this new stage I wish them much success and, above all, that they can continue for many years to grow this wonderful sport. "
As a farewell, he left us a message for paddle fans: "That they look for fun, that they learn and that every time they enter a track they relate to enjoying a good time and having a good time ... That's the most important thing; the rest is anecdotal. I would like to thank Padel World Press for this talk and also remember my sponsors, Eme and Pádel at Bandeja as well as the Padel Training Club. "
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