Tapia and Coello, the new titans of paddle tennis

The number one had been in the hands of the tyranny of Juan Lebrón and Alejandro Galán for more than a thousand days (three years). 52 consecutive tournaments being the best padel couple in the world. Until two guys aged 23 and 21 got together. “We have an important factor and it is that we get along well, we share tastes and talk about the same things,” explains Arturo Coello (Mojados, 2002) to EL MUNDO, a pairing of the duo that he forms with the Argentine Agustín Tapia (San Fernando del Valle of Catamarca, 1999).

That connection began like a tornado, precisely, before the number one couple. In Abu Dhabi, Coello and Tapia defeated Galán and Lebrón in two sets (7-6/6-3). And, once that barrier was overcome, the ship took off. «When we joined, it was not to unseat them but to grow. We have gotten along a lot both inside and outside and you can see that our understanding is absolute, “says Coello.

Since then, seven victories out of seven tournaments in the WPT: La Rioja, Chile, Paraguay, Granada, Brussels and Vigo, where they certified that first place with 16,250 and 16,045 points for Tapia and Coello, respectively.. In addition, as if the closing of a circle were, a final in which Lebrón and Galán also won. Kings had fallen, long live kings.

«It is a dream to be a paddle tennis player and even more so to be number one, but I saw it as something very distant. It took a long time for it to arrive. I did not imagine that it was already 20 years old, “Arturo Coello said on his return from the Vigo tournament. A tournament with a very demanding final in which they won in three sets 6-3/6-7(5)/7-6(4) and in which another Coello was seen, less physically exuberant.

“We go out a lot in the highlights, but Agus is the most spectacular, I'm just the one next to it,” he said with Castilian sarcasm as he addressed the physiotherapist. Strong, fast, forceful and with an imposing physique, Coello also noticed that something was failing in Vigo. Finally, and after consulting with his team, he decided to stop.

Coello and Tapia did not appear in the Copenhagen Tournament last weekend in which they defended 1,170 points compared to the 340 of Galán and Lebrón. So number 1 lasted exactly, and unfortunately for them, one week.. Galán and Lebrón, just by showing up, added what was necessary to return to the top of the ladder even if they finally ended up withdrawing from the Danish tournament in the round of 16 due to an elbow injury from the Andalusian.

undefeated

Number one or not, Coello and Tapia have not lost this year. not a match. «In my case I am not afraid of losing because it will come at any moment. But it is true that we approach each confrontation in the same way, giving it great importance”, says Coello and is convinced that “not losing a game all year is impossible”. “Sooner rather than later we will, but it will be because the others play us better,” reveals the Valladolid on the study of his game that, at this time, are doing the other couples of the circuit.

For now, results and records apart, this duo, ephemeral number one, only wants to continue improving. “We both solve what the other does wrong. We imitate each other’s good things. We are in full growth. If Agus makes a strange shot, I try to copy it,” he says. And Agus Tapia makes a lot of strange shots. You only have to go through social networks and see that many of the best points of each tournament have his signature. Show without a crown, for now.