Capra: ”Would be interesting to copy the pair system of tennis”
There are many new pairs on the men's tour. One of those who chose to leave his partner is Lucho Capra. Now he's back with Maxi Sanchez, the pair that won the Valladolid Masters last year.
— We will try to continue the great work we started last season, Lucho Capra says to Padel Alto.
When Franco Stupaczuk chose to leave Alex Ruiz, it was followed by several breaks on the men's tour. One of those who made the switch was Lucho Capra. After only five tournaments with Javi Ruiz, he chose to go back to Maxi Sanchez, whom he was left by after last season.
In an interview with Padel Alto, the Argentinian from Quilmes, south of Buenos Aires, talks about the tough decision and the future with Maxi Sanchez but who he won the Valladolid Masters with last season.
First of all, how do you feel about being back with Maxi Sanchez again?
— I´m very happy to restart the partnership with Maxi. Last season I think we did a good job together, so it´s an exciting project.
Was it an easy decision to leave Javi Ruiz to go back with Maxi Sanchez again?
— It wasn't easy because I had a great relationship with Javi. I held Javi in great esteem, and I felt comfortable on the court with him. But, it´s like this among professionals, and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions.
Do you think you can repeat last year's achievements from the Valladolid Masters with Maxi Sanchez?
— It´s not our goal, but we have already proved that we have the level to do it. We are working to be prepared if that happens.
Many people were surprised when Padel Alto revealed that you and Maxi would separate after last season's result. Were you too?
— As I told you, things happen in sports. You´ll never know where you´re going to be in the future. Now, we are together again, and we will try to continue the great work we started last season.
How do you fit together? And how's your relationship besides the court?
— Very well. Even after we separated, we kept a good relationship. I think that's useful for a couple.
What do you think about your and Javi Ruiz's collaboration? Has it gone as expected?
— I think we did a great job. We didn't get any amazing results, but we had a great level.
How did Javi take your decision to finish the project together after only five tournaments?
— Well, it´s never an easy conversation, but he understood my decision in a great way.
When did Maxi contact you to play with him again?
— The day before announcing my separation from Javi. I wanted to make a decision as soon as possible to stop thinking so that Javi could get a partner easily.
What is your goal with Maxi Sanchez now for the rest of the season?
— The most important thing is to be a solid couple and compete at a good level. If we get that, the result will come.
There have been many partner changes on the tour now. How do the players talk about it with each other?
— It´s not a strange situation for us. All the players know perfectly that it is a professional decision and nothing about personal issues.
Do many people get in touch with you after announcing the separation?
— It depends on the changes. This time I only had the option to change to Maxi.
In an interview by Padel Alto with Alvaro Cepero, he talked about regulation or a contract between the couples, so the changes can´t happen this often. What do you think about that?
— I don't think it will happen. Most important for us are that both players are happy. If any of the players believe that he will do it better with another, the best thing to do is to change. I think it would be interesting for padel to copy the tennis pairs system, where couples qualify for the Master Final based on their ranking as a couple. It would avoid so many partner changes, he says.
In their first competition together, Maxi Sanchez and Lucho Capra were eliminated in Thursday's round of eight against Jon Sanz and Miguel Lamperti. This week, the WPT Danish Padel Open awaits, where they will face another reunited team in the first round: Alvaro Cepero and Pablo Lijo.
