Paquito after his separation from Tello: ”It was my fault for not being able to adapt”

After a failed attempt to play on the right side of the court, Paquito Navarro returned to the backhand side with Fede Chingotto. In an interview with Ole, the Spaniard told how he feels after returning to enjoy the court.
— Now I can say that I find my game again next to Chingotto, says Navarro.

Paquito Navarro surprised the padel world when he decided to switch to the drive side at the end of last season to start a project with Argentine Juan Tello.

But the couple had a hard start to the 2023 season, did not get the expected results, and decided to separate. Tello started a new project with Alex Ruiz, while Navarro returned to the backhand side, his natural place on the court, with Federico Chingotto.

— Months ago the situation was very difficult, now I can say that I can find my game again with Chingo, who makes things very easy for me," said Paquito in an interview with Ole.

Despite not finding regularity and showing matches with obvious discomfort on the court, the Paquito/Tello couple managed to win the World Padel Tour of Mexico at the end of 2022. For Navarro, winning this title gave the couple a false sense of security, which made them bet on the project for the 2023 season.

— The worst thing that could have happened to us was winning the tournament in Mexico. I thought that, if with so little time on the right and without too much training together we achieved that, with a good pre-season we were going to achieve a lot.

"It was my fault."

This year did not start in the best way for the Spanish/Argentine pair. Several first-round eliminations and the lack of understanding within the 20x10 marked the end of the duo.

— In sporting terms it was a pretty bad start. It didn't turn out the way we expected. We made a very brave gamble. Tello is an excellent guy and we wanted it to work, but it didn't. 99% of the blame was mine for not being able to adapt to the right side.

In the last few games, and the absence of results, the team tried to vary the tactics, swapping sides during the games, but it didn't work out well either.

— Any formula would be enough for us to win. A new window could open up for us to be a pair with a chance of switching sides. But we quickly realised that neither of us was cut out to play on the right.

"Fede gives me that confidence".

Now, under the guidance of Fede Chingotto and once again on "his side" of the court, Navarro has regained his confidence. Something that has not been seen since the beginning of his project with Martin Di Nenno.

For Paquito, both players have remarkable similarities when sharing the court.

— (Di Nenno and Chingotto) are the closest thing you can find on the circuit: a super solid defence, an insatiable spirit, always working for the partner and with a good vibe. They do that invisible job that is more important than it seems and they make the backhand can shine. Now I value it a lot more.

And he finished:

— Fede gives me the confidence and joy I needed to get my game back, so I will always be eternally grateful to him for trusting me.