The duo made up of Joaquín Cabalín and Rodrigo Paya won the title of the American Padel Tournament, fifth category, played this Saturday on the indoor courts of the La Liga Sports Center.
In second place was the couple Ignacio Iriondo and Richard Fierro, while Carlos Muñoz and Carlos Valdivinos achieved third place.
The competition brought together eight pairs that showed their best game in the indoor complex that welcomed the rain and promises more indoor tournaments.
“Paddle tennis is an entertaining sport, I’ve been playing it a couple of years ago and I came from Santiago to participate and it’s the first time I’ve played on a covered court and I think it’s excellent that this tournament is held to motivate children and women who join to this sport”, emphasized Rodrigo Paya, champion of the contest with Cabalín.
“We are very happy to promote this sport, with the support of companies and the good reception of the community, a wonderful initiative that we will continue to replicate and with other sports because here there is not only paddle tennis, we can develop soccer, tennis, soccer indoors”, commented Eduardo Muñoz, director of the La Liga Sports Center.
“It is super good that these tournaments are held to encourage paddle tennis and better indoors now that the rains and cold weather are coming. It is easy to practice it. One gets together with four friends and that’s it. It’s a good time,” confessed Felipe Apara.
“I think it’s fantastic that these tournaments are held indoors, with great enthusiasm and having a good time with friends,” said Mario Ferrada.
“I have been actively playing paddle tennis for a year and that has allowed me to meet new people and it helps us a lot to stay active. It is a transversal sport that anyone of any age can play”, declared Rolando Sepúlveda, general manager of Prodalam S.A, which sponsored the event and played in the tournament.
Gonzalo Fuentes and Rodrigo Cabello confessed that they praised the organization and the courts and stressed that “this is a very friendly sport.”
Finally, at the age of 68, Ricardo “Pechuga” Torres together with Óscar Contreras, who got to know paddle tennis in Argentina 30 years ago, when they played soccer for Los Pumas, appreciated that this type of tournament is organized under covered courts.
“It’s ideal, the hard and cold winter is coming here and more covered courts are needed,” they sentenced after fighting on the court and prior to the popular “third half.”
