Co- Padelazo They offer us this emotional article, in which they rescue a detail that caught their attention, even though it could have gone unnoticed by many fans. A gesture that only increases the figure of the current world number 1.
Padel World Press .- That was his voice, bouncing between the walls of the Plaza Mayor, which was leaking through the failed microphone of the organization and still reached the audience.
In effect, those were his words. His timbre, his tone, his accent, all sounded to him except the message that, exceptionally, seemed inappropriate to such a protagonist.
"I would like to leave Valladolid asking people for a favor." After more half a life given to the paddle, wasting effort, exhibiting talent, now it was he, Fernando Belasteguín, who for the first time dared to ask for something. "Please (the public) shout 'Lima Lima' or 'Bela Bela' as they shouted at our opponents, to leave with a good taste in my mouth. Although we have to ask for it please ".
Until that moment, the nth exhibition of the 14 number one year was not enough. It had not been enough a prodigious exercise of paddle to almost 40 degrees to prevail before two fabulous adversaries. Neither the fifth title of the year, the 200 number conquest for the Argentine, nor even the spectacular points he had during a match that he held in his hands before the irregular performance of his great partner.
Only, after Bela's express request, after his public request, was the condescending tier and, for the first time, he agreed to shout the names of the numbers one, again champions.
The public, which is always said to be sovereign, had no qualms about encouraging their rivals, with an express and notorious pronouncement for the magician Sanyo during the final. It happened also a few days ago in the final of Mallorca with the fans surrendered to Cristian Gutiérrez. He has passed on many occasions with Paquito Navarro. And with Miguel Lamperti. Of course, with Juan Martín Díaz. And with so many others.
But not with Bela. It is true that the Argentine does not aspire to it. The ovations and the titles do not appear in the radar of their objectives. The capital, the truly substantial for him always happens within the track. There, the one in Pehuajó is unique.
However, this time, for once, Bela decided to look up and look at the bleachers. Weakness? Ego? Some envy? None of this is typical of someone who is an indisputable legend. Belasteguín's request, in fact, was his umpteenth favor to paddle, a new sport whose public grows in numbers but not in the same way in knowledge. The passion for the show predominates than the understanding of the game. Spectacularity is rewarded and effectiveness is not affected.
Said Bela in Padel World Press, after the quarterfinals, that the reference should be tennis and not football. But it is that even in the king sport it is possible to attend ovations against rivals in other people's fields. There are enough episodes in their history in which the fans park their emotions to enjoy the talent, to reward the effort, without attending to the passport or the shield.
In the paddle, Belasteguín always plays as a visitor. This is what the sovereign decides for a long time and the player accepts it. His triumph, therefore, is always double. A conquest of the title and also the favor of an audience that chooses anyone before him and ends up exhausted by sighing for a photo or an autograph. This time, in Valladolid, Bela raised her voice. It was not a reproach but a plea. And locked in it, a gift to the fans, a new contribution to the paddle.
Any spectator is free to establish their preferences, to direct their breath. But denying recognition to whoever deserves it is a kind of blindness that paddleball should not allow.
In the quarterfinals, the numbers one faced another sensational pair: Mieres and Lamperti. The Gray-haired, always excited, he was even more hyperactive on the track, with the judge-referee and the stands. His claims for the irregularly high service of Pablo Lima ended up receiving a reward and they charged a foul on the Brazilian. Bahía Blanca was right and the public recognized it.
The point is that several of Lamperti's serves in that same match exceeded the height limit allowed (it was appreciated even through the online broadcast). The stand, however, was hooked to the charisma of the great Argentine player and ignored the rest. The numbers 1 are denied the tricks that others are valid. Another irrevocable conviction.
So, after the end of Valladolid, the stand heard the number one ask for his gratitude for his partner and for him. As much as he pronounced their names, Bela's intention was quite another.
His claim contained in himself an act of justice, a warning to the fans themselves: just as the players have the permanent demand to be better, the public of the paddle must also aspire to improve their perception and understanding of the game. And this is compatible, of course, with passion but not with blindness.
So on Sunday, Bela spoke about Bela (and Lima) put in value all those who today sacrifice everything and delivered between four walls to fulfill their dreams and give a show, put the focus on those who tomorrow will be able to raise the arms after the last ball or, if necessary, they will leave the track with their heads high after giving the maximum.
At the foot of the track, in the middle of the Plaza Mayor of Valladolid, the message from Pehuajó, to the public of today and, above all, to the one of tomorrow, was clear: it is not enough to enjoy the show; understand the game, appreciate its nuances will lead you to feel this sport and that will make it, will make you, bigger.
Belasteguín's contribution to padel, yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's, will hardly be considered. No, of course, in its entirety. Your contribution transcends time. It is not a matter of style, or of titles, or talent, no matter how much you overdo it. They are more important matters. It is spirit. It is game understanding.
In that line, the favor of Bela in Valladolid was not the one that asked the public but the one that granted, so that also the fans are better and better, like the padel, like Fernando Belasteguín.
Image: Arko Sports
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