Perfect in English. Sure, I can barely Spanish. Imagine not understanding. I understand. Yes, you understand everything? Not everything, everything. No. But to speak very little. Rosa Jiménez, but today we are visiting Miguel, a legend, that switches us to Spanish. Thank you, Miguel. You're welcome. A pleasure. Well, the first thing we wanted to ask is your signing for San Diego Stingrays it is a new adventure, a new league for you in a country where Padel does not stop growing.
How do you value it? Well, the truth is, Armando came to see me at the Paris tournement to talk to me. I had only heard a little about Juan Martin who has been there for a while. Well, I know it's growing a lot the sport of Padel. The truth is I'm very excited; we signed the contract two weeks ago and well, I'm going to play for the Stingrays. And now in November, when I go to play a tournament in Mexico, I'll stay a few days to get to know the area better, as I know nothing about the area.
That way I can inform myself a bit. In a very special way you've become someone that the new generations has looked up to with admiration at your side was Tapia, Coello, Yanguas and Jon Sanz and your teaching spirit to help has always stood out. How do you see yourself with these young players and how do you take on that role When we where teammates or as opponents?
Honestly, The only thing I care about is giving my best so they can absorb my knowledge like a sponge, because undoubtedly they are all destined to be phenomenons. it wasn't because of me that they got where they are. They have a lot of talent and they work very hard. They are guys who know exactly what they want. And well, I see myself privileged that they might absorb the experience I have and with there talent, it will take them as far as they want.
There's a lovely video of you teaching how to do "Por Tres" three meters smash. Ari! Yes, Number one champion. I think it was 2009 or 2008. Yes, you know it's one of YouTubes recommended videos of you. It's one of the smashes you are known for. Yes, you know the pro tres smash. When I was a kid I didn't use it. I didn't do it. But when I started in Brazil, I began using the por Tres smash more. I as a kid, I never had a coach, but I spent all day playing against the wall.
And well, it's a smash that always came naturally to me, unlike the volley. I didn't train much for the pro tres smash, but it always came more naturally to me. Your padel is one of the most recommended in the world. This year's Nox campaign has been spectacular. How did it come to be? They're all ideas from my boss. I always tell him that all brands have good racquets, but I always I emphasize to Jesus, when the ML10 came out the foam of the racket Is good. And that's it, beyond advertising.
The padel is good. But each video surprises me more. I remember the first one we did, where I slapped him in Barcelona. But Jesus is always innovating. Honestly, Nox invests a lot in advertising. The video is, I think 52 seconds. Well, we filmed for more than four and a half at midnight in a Barcelona parking lot because it had to be something very special. There were more than twenty-something people working on it.
So honestly, I I always valued all the work he does to keep the brand always growing and innovating. and without a doubt, I think people really liked it. here are the two of them, the two little princesses I have, right? What are you looking for in a Padel? It has a lot of control. First, it's easy to adapt to, and it has control. For me, it's fundamental, right?
Of course it has to rebound well too, but for me, its getting the feel of the ball as soon as I start to play with it, so the ball goes where I want it too I think that's fundamental not just for a professional, but for any padel player. Padel player when you use it for the first time you don't want it to rebound to quickly or barely rebound at all. you don't want it to rebound to quickly or barely rebound at all.
Actually, It really always believe there should be two types of padels, one for summer and one for winter. But well its true that I have been able to use the ML10 all year long. Honestly, because it is a Padel that has a lot of control, but at the same time rebounds. So its a Padel that can adapt to both, but with extreme temperatures but with normal padels, the foam will get softer, so I would use a harder Padel and during the rest of the year I would use the normal Padel.
So in Miami and San Diego, yes of course in places like Miami or like here in Malaga in the summers or when where in Dubai. The changes of temperatures really affects the racket the foam it makes an empty sound Like a boom boom, it sounds like an empty drum. The Padel changes a lot and it has a lot of impact on the elbow, That is why it is important that they exist two types of racquets. An unexpected but very beautiful news has been brout to my attention.
that soon you are going to Be playing for Argentina. What does it feel like when you they call you to represent your country in the PanAmericans? Yes, the truth is that it surprised me. Well, huh? Yeah. Well I was selected because, I think Maxi and Franco were the ones selected first but for whatever reason they couldn't make it so they called Ramiro and me. For me, to wear the light blue and white jersey has always been a privilege and a source of pride. I would always say yes.
Now there is not much more because I'm getting little older but for me its a big deal and satisfying to play for my country. The last question we wanted to ask you especially thinking in a didactic spirit And how to expose more people to Padel? What advice would you give to someone that is just starting to play Padel? To have fun, enjoy it, to try to give it your best. I think it's a sport that has so many positive things.
It's a sport where families can play, fathers with sons and evan grandsons with grandfathers can play. I think it is a wonderful sport and well, later, when you start to play more, you'll realize how far you can go, there is always room for improvement. We can all improve, the young players, older players and good and bad players. So that depends on the individual.
But later, if you want play at a professional level, well that a real job, But with a lot of humility and hard work you can go as far as you want. I think that's the key to everything. There will always be someone better or worse than you but you will give it your all in each match, but I think it's fun and it's one of the biggest keys to playing Padel.
Well, thank you very much and we'll see you soon at the Pro Padel League in the United States Thank you Rosa for the interview and of course I'll see you on November after the Mexican tournament I'll be there.