Hey, paddle enthusiast. Welcome to Paddle Smash Academy. My name is Cez Paddle Club owner and entrepreneur. Next to me is Julian Paddle Master Coach, and we're all about paddle. Whether you're new to the sport or an experienced player, you've come to the right place. Our goal is to provide you with paddle news, tournament outcomes, product reviews, and video lessons to take your game to the next level. So grab your paddle and let's get started at Paddle Smash Academy.
All right, well, today we're gonna talk about Premier Paddle Tournament. Uh, what did you think, Julian? I mean, I think the tournament was outstanding. Um, the major upsets and, uh, what's happening with the different partnerships. Uh, there is a lot to, uh, digest and talk about. I think one of the most important things is that we should be talking about is that Dejo and Paquito. partnership. Yeah, I, I guess that's, uh, that's definitely something to talk about.
I mean, you see a lot of memes, you least see a lot of different things, uh, you know, PA Paquito wanting to play now on the left side again. Um, so there's a lot of drama there. Um, but I guess let's talk about the, the, the upsets, right? I mean, what, what happened? What was the biggest upset there in that tournament? Well, I mean, I think the major opposite is Lek, you know, Lucy versus Alex. You know, Alex. You know, and, uh, and Momo Gonzalez.
So I think, uh, and they lost 7, 6, 6 2. I mean, they, they, Alex and, and, and Momo Diaz, they play an an outstanding game. And I think what that was pretty much the major opposite. I mean, they were one of the favorites. So what do you think happened there, do you think, uh, from the last world? Paddle tour tournament in the finals, they kind of, uh, are losing a little bit of the confidence. I mean, uh, or was it that, you know, uh, mama, mom and his partner were playing that much better?
I, I think they play an outstanding game. I mean, let, let's give him credit to, to, to the winners. Yeah. But honestly, I mean, you know, all these professional players, they're getting. physically tired after playing back and forth every week somewhere around the world. And, and that can take a toll on your, on your, on your, you know, performance at the end of the day. I think that's a great point. Um, because they did play those two tournaments back to back, right? Yeah. And extreme heat.
Yeah. Uh, you know, isn't easy as, as well, you know, you have to kind of adjust to that. And I think that's, , you know, the youth, uh, really helps, you know, being very, uh, you know, in good shape, physical conditioning. Um, so I'm not sure if that really, uh, uh, led to their upset, but, uh, you know, obviously it, it was part of it. Oh, definitely, for sure. I mean, it's, it's, at the end of the day, it's, it's. Giving credit to the winners.
I mean, the, they are the number ones, but sometimes you see some glitches on their game and that's when the other players, you know, they take advantage of it. And you know, when, you know, when you are playing at that level, you know, one or two mistakes can cost you the match completely. Yeah. Well, let's go back to, uh, Paquito, man. What, what do you think is going on there? I don't know if you guys watched that game, but, uh, it was pretty interested.
Uh, Teo started to play the, the first set he played on the, on the left side. And, and they lost, right? And Paquito was complaining with him and with his coach on every change of sides that he should be playing in the other side. And finally, they on the second set, which he never seen it before, at professional level, they actually switch size. and they won the second set and they won pretty easily. Uh, so that will be interesting what will happen in the near future with them.
Uh, they eventually ended, they ended up losing. , but I think Paquito has much more resources being played on the left hand than than Tejo has. I, I think that's a great point. I think you're definitely right on that. Yeah. I mean, he is, uh, an aggressive, uh, left-sided player. Uh, I think. Much more than Theo. Yeah. And I think, uh, you're right. I think he has a little bit more of tools, you know? Yeah. I think the, I think what's going on is the age, right?
Is he ready to move to the right side? And maybe it was a little too premature to do that. You know, this is a great subject of conversation and I see it at, at all levels. I, I think especially a professional, uh, a pro at the professional level. All these players, they should be able to play in both sides. And I still don't know why they're not able to play in both sides or what they don't wanna play on both sides, because I mean, these are unbelievable players.
Yeah. And let's say I've never seen Bella playing on the for side. He always playing on the backend side. So for him, he's so limited to one half of the court then. If he's so talented, I guarantee you he can play both sides. But you know, I think eventually with a new generation of paddle players, I mean, that is gonna be. You changing sooner or later you think so? I don't know. What, what, what is your thought? I don't know.
I mean, I think, uh, I think you're rather a right sided player or left sided player. It all depends on your mentality, right? So if you are more of a defensive player and some people are in general, just a character is more of a defensive player, and then you have guys who are more aggress. right? I mean, in general, in life. Yeah. And those are playing that left side.
So, um, I mean, I think, uh, and then you try to switch over to that, and I think that's what kind, I mean, I look at Theo, yeah, he plays left, but he, I don't think he's as aggressive as some of the, like, coyo or, or, or, um, or, or even Paquito. Yeah. So, and then you have your mentality. . I mean, the right side mentality is way different than the left.
And, and so you're, if you're playing right and you switch over the left, you might bring some of those techniques there that maybe will work sometimes, but you know, in the long run may not because you, you have a job to do on the left side. Yeah. You know, so I don't know. But it's always good to know both sides for sure. I mean, I played left. A long time, and I love left, and I feel like that's a more natural there, but based on, you know, me getting older, uh, I move to the right.
Yeah. And I learn how to play the right, but I now, I do understand both sides and what the jobs are. You know, I think in pat, I mean, I, at that le at that professional level, I mean, greatness is defined by the one that who's flexible enough to play both sides. Let's get, let's, let's think. LeBron. LeBron used to be a back end side player and now started to play with Lan and he switched size. I mean, that's pretty unbelievable. And, and they became number one in the world.
So, so, and it will be interested to see if they, you know, Bella was always great. I mean, when we talk about Yeah, they, one on the left, it should be the aggressor. But Bill is not an aggressor. He doesn't hit by four or by threes. No, but he's an unbelievable player on the left side. I think being flexible brings more your greatness as a player. Oh, without a doubt. And if you look at Deo and Shinto back in the day, uh, I mean, they are both more right-sided players than than left.
Yeah. Yeah. And I think that was one of the reasons why they moved on. Yeah. And then if you look at Le LeBron and Galk. They're both kind of left sided players, both of 'em. Yeah. You know, one had to compromise and move to Yeah. You know, to the right. But they complimenting each other so well. Oh yeah. That, that's why they're number one. Right. And I think, you know, if we compare Teo with, with Paquito, Paquito has more tools on his arsenal, you know, from from, from the, the, the air game.
I, and he can, he can hit the screen, he can hit the Vs. He. They is just a one way player where he goes for the bomb and, and that's it. He doesn't have. Talent and that risk, you know, those hands that Paquito has playing on the left side. So in, in it will be interesting what happens on the next tournament. I, I think you're right. I, I, I mean, I think prematurely he switched over and I think maybe they should have thought about a little bit more. Yes. Yeah, I know. In the middle of a game.
Yeah. Because they're now into tournaments and they're doing so now what are they gonna do the next tournament? And, and, and for you to switch sides, it takes, uh, at least a couple of weeks for you to really get the feel of returning from the forehead side on the back end side and playing the, you know, the aerial game a little bit better. Yeah. So it's gonna be very, very interesting what happens in the, in the near future. Let's talk about, uh, CUO and, and Tapia.
You know, that was not necessarily an upset, but I mean, I think everybody, uh, coming from their win and the World Paddle tour thought, okay. , they're gonna dominate the, you know, this tournament too. Yeah. And, uh, that wasn't, that wasn't the case. Well, they made it to the semi-finals. Come on, give 'em some credit. Yeah. . You know what I mean? It's, it wasn't that bad. No, no. I'm not saying it was bad, but based on the performance of World Paddle Tour.
Yes. You know, I, I, I was saying, okay, these guys, you guys have it, you know? Yeah. Uh, you know, what do you call it? Are out, uh, LeBron and, and Golan are out. So this could, these guys. Be able to win this tournament, you know? Yes. But, but let's, let's think about this. And, and I think what's make, makes the professional level so healthy that in the past three tournaments you have three different winners at professional level.
Yeah. So that's super healthy that it, it's not like tennis is where you have the dominant, you know, in adults or DJ of, or feathers where they, every time they walk into a a tournament, they win that tournament. Yeah. In paddle it's, it's a much more exciting, because now. , you have three different, you know, three tournaments and three different winners. Yeah. It's gonna be interesting who will end up number one in the world at the end of the year. Well, I, I, I like that.
I mean, last year it was all about Le LeBron and Lan. Yeah. So, uh, I'm looking forward to the battle between them and, and, you know, uh, CUO and, and, and Dia and all the other players. Yeah. You know, um, so we'll, we'll, we'll see. Uh, what happened? Um, okay, so let's talk about the finals then. Uh, we have, um, uh, Bella and, and Sanjo, you know, um, playing against, uh, um, Um, uh, stupa and, um, dno. Yep. Inno. And that was, uh, a pretty great game.
But I, I think, uh, I don't know Bella, uh, I think Bella played great and Sanja too, but, uh, I just maybe thought maybe they didn't have enough fuel in their tank. You know? Look, I mean, the first set, uh, Sandra Bella started serving and they started with a break. And from that moment on, I mean, uh, stupa and, and Dino Dish. Stepped it up and there was nothing coming through. I mean, they were just defending and attacking every single shot. Every ball was going over the net.
10, 15, 20 times long points, I mean, retrieving balls from the outside. It was an outstanding game. It was really, and, and the first set, I mean it was just a blow off. I mean, it's uh, they got two breaks down and then for you to come back with two breaks down is very difficult. Yeah. Second set was pretty, pretty tight. They went into the tie break, but uh, you know, there were six five serving and you lose one point. That's it. tournament's over. Yep. Yep. I, I feel the same way.
And, you know, and, uh, playing again with that, that heat in, in, uh, in, uh, in Qatar and, you know, uh, these guys, uh, Stu and dno, I mean, they're playing a amazing Yes. Amazing. Amazing. And, uh, I look forward to seeing them, you know, in the semis and finals, uh, moving forward, the World Paddle Tour and, and the premier battle. And, and one of, I think one of the, the things that happened.
Um, Bella and, and, and San. They played Momo and Alex on, on the semi-finals, and that was a three, I mean, three sets match. It was a long, long match under the heat and, and all that. And I think that took a toll on Elise San, uh, Bella, you know what I mean? But, you know, after a two and a half, three hour match, you know, you feel it, that you're playing, you know, you play one day that, and then the next day you're playing the. Yeah, that takes a toll.
You know, the physical part takes a toll and you know, Bella's over 40 now. So you will, you and your, you will feel the difference. , you know, trying to recover from that. Definitely. I feel a difference playing, you know, just, you know, an hour and a half. Yes, it's true. And I'm trying to play the next day. I can only imagine. Especially at that level. Right? Right. Oh, definitely. Without a doubt. Yeah. Um, okay, so what else is, what else went on in, in the, uh, premier, uh, paddle here?
Um, uh, was there any other upsets. Uh, those are, were pretty much the, you know, the pretty big upsets, uh, which I think it's super healthy for, for, for the premiere and the World Polo Tour, having different winners in the finals. Yeah. Uh, that gives a more fresh look. And also the so dominant, uh, you know, leadership that LeBron and Gal will have. Uh, we'll see what's happening next time. You know, next one.
I think that now they're going to Argentina, Lak, and, uh, a few other tournament. That's the World Pilot tour, so it will be very interesting. Thanks for tuning in to Paddle Smash Academy. We hope your final video is informative and helpful in improving your game and learning all things paddle. And if you haven't already, make sure that you hit that subscribe button and turn on the notification so you never miss a video from us.
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