FIP Platinum Sardegna, Bela’s Last Tango in Cagliari

Bela‘s last tango in Cagliari. The next time he comes here, it will be as a manager, coach, or who knows what, but his adventure as a professional player on the courts of TC Cagliari ends this anticipated and thrilling week of the FIP Platinum Sardegna, in the role that rightfully belongs to him: being number one. He was number one for 16 years in the world rankings and he is in the main draw of the most important tournament, by category and tradition, of the Cupra FIP Tour – the world tour with 180 tournaments across five continents, the most important and strategic tour of the International Padel Federation in promoting the sport. He announced it in Milan, during the Premier Padel: “Next season (this one) will be my last as a professional player.” He will stay in padel with countless initiatives, that’s for sure, but his career ends this year. Some hope he reconsiders, but “the man of the three sacred principles” – sacrifice, family, unwavering dedication – is not one to go back on his word. Never.

Bela arrived yesterday (Monday) afternoon in Cagliari from Barcelona. It was there he celebrated Argentina’s triumphant victory in the Copa America, alongside his current partner Javi Garrido, who was over the moon about Spain’s victory in the European Championship in Germany. A partnership in the name of the ball that is reflected on the padel court tonight: Bela-Garrido, respectively number 9 and number 11 in the FIP Rankings, will take the ‘stage’ (against Piotto-Del Castillo) as the delicious dessert of an extraordinary padel adventure that has brought together champions like Momo Gonzalez, Maxi Sanchez, Luciano Capra, Miguel Lamperti, Tolito Aguirre (so many people early in the morning to attract the pair with the “white head”, the white hair: natural for Miguel, possibly from the hairdresser in homage to his partner, for Tolito) and champions like Virginia Riera, Carmen Goenaga (number one seeded pair), Carolina Orsi and more.

In the city, among padel enthusiasts, Bela’s name has been spreading by word of mouth and the appointment on the over-thousand-seat stands of TC Cagliari is inevitable, because Bela’s last Tango in Cagliari is a spectacle not to be missed. Imagining the crowd of big occasions on the stands of the Central Court of the elegant Cagliari club is practically certain. Many hope he reconsiders. Because one of the most titled players in the history of sport, not just padel, that boy who became a man with a racket in hand, you never tire of watching him move on the court. Because if you want a spectacle, there are many players to admire, but if you want to learn something “it’s Bela you need to watch, whether from the stands or on TV,” said a well-known commentator recently. So, if we want to learn, the appointment is tonight at TC Cagliari, Central Court, with the greatest of all time.