FIP European Padel Championships: De Castro: “Switzerland is growing and aiming to enter the top 9 in Cagliari”

Originally from Spain, but called up with Switzerland for the FIP European Padel Championships taking place in Cagliari, Daniel De Castro carries the DNA of someone who loves padel and shares what it’s like to play it far from one of the countries where it is most popular. “I come from Spain, but part of my family is Swiss, and I really enjoy playing there. It’s easy to get around, it’s easy to find opportunities to play padel”, he said just before taking the court against Italy on the second day of the tournament.

Even there, padel has gained ground and is attracting the attention of people who had never practiced this sport until recently. “It’s going very well. There are not yet many clubs spread across the country, but it is growing, and it’s easy to see new courts where there were none before”. Switzerland’s path in the tournament is not easy after the first two days, but Daniel remains optimistic: “We still want to finish among the top three in the group and then aim for the top 9 of the tournament”. For the podium, De Castro also predicts “Spain, followed by France and Portugal”. And his model players? “In this tournament, I think the best is Momo Gonzalez, then Cardona. With two like them, it’s easier to win”.