After a few months of doubts and uncertainty, the Professional Circuit was finally launched ... And he did it in style. Once the first test is finished, and with time to analyze its results, we can only reach one conclusion: it was a resounding success in every way.
Padel World Press .- It can not be said otherwise of an appointment in which the tickets for the final rounds were sold out, in which the public filled the facilities of the Real Club de Polo from the Pre-Previas, which was broadcast for the first time via Streaming (followed by fans from four continents), which had a huge media impact and in which, in addition, the best players and players in the world offered all their magic and talent.
Wearing their best clothes, the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona was once again the headquarters of what was also called XVI Internacional de Cataluña, one of the oldest tournaments on the world calendar. In total, there were seven days of excitement, of spectacular matches, of vibrant duels in which we witnessed the debut of the new couples and the return to competition of the most lauded pairs of the Professional Circuit.
At an organizational level, perhaps the most remarkable was the excellent assembly, both of the Central Court and the Commercial Village and the VIP Zone. For this, the help of the club's staff as well as its wonderful and incomparable environment was essential. The only point to improve in this regard was not having more locations for the fans, so we are already working to increase the capacity of this test for the 2015 season.
Within the track, very few surprises ... And is that the best couples in the ranking are still a little ahead of the rest. In the Men's Draw, the audience enjoyed a reissue of last year's final, in which the faces of Reyes and Princes were seen. Among the girls, Mapi and Majo Sánchez Alayeto could not defend their title against the best duo of the moment: Montes-Salazar.
A struggle for the 1 number in the world
It is very likely that what many followers of this sport did not know is that in Barcelona the first position of the WPT Ranking was at stake, both in the Men's and Women's Drawings ... In fact, among the girls there will be a change of leadership in the next 11 June, when the classification for the Estrella Damm Badajoz Open is updated. As of that day, Carolina Navarro and Cecilia Reiter will regain the throne, although at the event in Palencia, they will continue to hold the role of couple number 2.
Why is this situation? Very easy. The 9 of June will eliminate the points of the WPT Barcelona 2013, test in which Navarro-Reiter fell in quarterfinals. As this year they have reached the semifinals, they will add more points while Llaguno-Amatriain repeated presence in semis, they will keep the same points.
The same thing will happen between the boys. On Wednesday, May 28, a new ranking will be published, in which the points of the WPT Cáceres 2013 will be subtracted. Juani Mieres-Pablo Lima fell at that time in the quarterfinals and now they will add the points of the finalists in Barcelona ... With this , Juan Martín Díaz and Fernando Belasteguin only used to be champions in Barcelona to stay at the top ... Although they succeeded, the distance has been reduced, so they are forced to stay one round above their rivals to keep the leadership.
How the campaign has started !! From the beginning, everyone with the calculator in hand.
The 'hit' of the tournament
In this case it was not a point ... It was a 'literal' blow and, fortunately, it had no major consequences. On Thursday, during the round of XNUMX dispute, Miguel Lamperti's shovel was released in a smash and it flew until it hit Jani Gisbert's forehead.
The impact was tremendous but, fortunately, only caused a cut on the forehead to the 'giant' Catalan, who had to receive the assistance of the doctors of the tournament. He suffered dizziness, it was hard to recover but it is also true that Lamperti was very affected and did not stop worrying and showing his interest in the state of his partner.
A very emotional image
We cannot say otherwise. As foreseen in the protocol script, it was already known that if Fernando Belasteguín conquered the title he would receive a very special surprise… And the person in charge of delivering the trophy was Jano Galán, a 37-year-old young man who was detected at the end of 2012 the degenerative disease of the motor cells, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Bela has been in charge of spreading the story of Jano through his social networks, because of the friendship they have, because of the strength and will to live that this father of a family with 3 children has. Through tears, the champions Juan and Bela received their award and were photographed together with a true example of struggle and sacrifice.
End to the first test of the season ... The World Padel Tour team has already prepared the suitcases to cross the Spanish geography from end to end. The countdown begins for your visit to Extremadura. From June 9 to 15, the Estrella Damm Badajoz Open will be played, a test that promises strong emotions from day one.
The show does not stop and we can only say ... Enjoy the Game !!!!
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