Coello to Padel Alto: ”People think that playing with Fernando generates a lot of pressure”

He is the biggest talent in padel right now. Earlier this year, Arturo Coello, 20, became the youngest person to win a World Padel Tour title. Last weekend he took his second title of all time, alongside the legend Fernando Belasteguin who took his 228th (!) title. 
— People think that playing with Fernando generates a lot of pressure, but it's the opposite, says Arturo Coello to Padel Alto. 

Arturo Coello has just been finalized as part of the Padel Nuestro group of players. We meet up at the shop's new flagship in central Madrid. 

The 20-year-old took his second career title last weekend when he won the Madrid Master. After the title, he paid tribute to his partner Fernando Belasteguin in front of a packed Caja Magica in Madrid. 

How is it to play with a legend like Fernando Belasteguin?

— People think that playing with Fernando generates a lot of pressure, but it's the opposite. I find it extremely comfortable to play with him, he is a person who brings a lot to the couple. He always brings a positive commentary looking for the common good of the couple. For me, it is a unique opportunity to be able to share time with the best player in history.

Have you spoken about continuing next season?

— No, we haven't talked about it yet. We started thinking about playing this year, and there is still a lot of the season left, and many things can happen. It is something that neither he nor I have evaluated at the moment. We know today that we want to play together and that we are very happy. The decision to continue or not will be evaluated later when the time comes.

”I have not received any offer.”

Have you received any offers from other players?

— Not formally. We players know each other, and everyone knows that I'm very comfortable playing with Fernando, so I have not received any offer.

This is a season with many tournaments. How important was the break for you?

— The rest was fundamental. There have been many tournaments, and there are many more to come. I think the rest is very important, not only for the physical part but also for the mental part, to be able to start the second half of the year with more spirit, as we did now.

”Would love to be selected.”

This season you have had the opportunity to play in the central courts of very emblematic places such as Roland Garros, The Foro Italico, and La Caja Magica. Did you ever think that you would reach these places with padel?

— Not really. Padel is having exponential growth, and I think it is an unstoppable phenomenon. Day by day, we are surprised by the number of people that this sport reaches and, of course, the incredible places we have been to. Playing at the Philippe Chatrier is an emblematic place for every Spanish player who has vibrated with Rafa Nadal's tennis...being on the same court where he has played, I think it's something unique that we must take advantage of and take padel to higher scales.

Soon it will be time for the World Cup. What does it mean to you to represent Spain once again?

— I would love to be selected and take part. The most important thing is to contribute to the national team, either playing or supporting from outside I think it's fundamental to be a team, to unite as we did last year, which I think was the key to success. I'm looking forward to reliving that week. Hopefully, the coach will select me once again. If so, I will enjoy it very much; if not, I will support from home.