The Deus brothers, when the racket is a matter of DNA

Sports, sometimes, is a matter of DNA. And in the DNA of the Deus brothers, symbols and strength of the Portuguese men’s team, there must be a strand that inevitably resembles a padel racket. Miguel and Nuno Deus – two years apart – wander around the “site” of the European Padel Championships never losing their smile. In fact, they stop to chat with their colleagues, sharing a pat on the back and relaxed conversations about their respective careers. Then they step onto the court with the magic of the national team, transforming into fierce competitors with great skill and an understanding that starts with the racket.

Miguel says about this coexistence in the shadow of glass walls and grates: “Naturally, people often ask us, and it’s definitely not easy to share, but both Nuno and I know there are great advantages, not just in our on-court chemistry. It’s great to plan tournaments, training, travel, and goals together. Of course, like in all families, there are occasional disagreements, and sometimes it’s tough, but we’re brothers, we’re a team, and we know well that playing together has more advantages than disadvantages”. Nuno agrees and elaborates: “Yes, it’s true it’s not always easy as Miguel said, but we know how to get through those moments and we owe it to the understanding we have on the court. Both of us know we have more advantages playing together than apart”.

Sports are full of “siblings on the field.” In tennis, the most famous sisters in the history of rackets, Venus and Serena Williams, played doubles together – winning two Olympic gold medals – and before them, in the United States, the twins Tim and Tom Gullikson, excellent doubles players between the ’70s and ’80s in the era of Borg and McEnroe. Padel doesn’t break the rule, if we think of the feats of the “Gemelas Atomikas” Sanchez Alayeto, Mapi and Majo. And speaking of DNA and padel rackets, we certainly can’t forget the Diaz Sangiorgio family, who brought Matias – ‘Mati The Warrior,’ an icon of the discipline – and Gonzalo to the court. Or the Galan family, with Ale – one of the dominators of the Premier Padel circuit and FIP ranking no. 2 – and Alba. Not to mention Pilar, Maria, and Teresa, the three Navarro sisters, Jose and Javi Rico, the latter being part of the Spanish team here in Cagliari, and Arturo Coello, world number one, with his brother Rodrigo, a promising talent for the future.