By Chiara Pietrella
This sporting activity has literally exploded in recent years, driving everyone crazy, young people and beyond. But what is his secret? Andrea Fratini, young manager of the dedicated area at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Chiusi Scalo – and partner of the largest and most structured Padel & Tennis 2.0 Sports Centre in Cortona – explains it to us.
Gaming or sports? That is the question. We address it without too much ado to Andrea Fratini on a late summer afternoon, meeting him in Chiusi Scalo, where right next to the Palazzetto dello Sport we find two fields dedicated to this activity and a smaller one for lessons. It is a beautiful sunny day and the blue of the sky is mirrored by the bright blue of the fields, outlined internally by very white stripes. The reflection is almost blinding, while a cool breeze from the surrounding hills introduces us to one of the most energetic and electrifying activities of recent years, literally exploded during and after the lockdown. “The success of Padel lies in the fact that it can be practiced even without technical notions, having fun from the first match,” explains Andrea. “While tennis, as well as other sports, needs to be learned before you can play it, for padel you don’t need preparation, just the desire to jump in”. Practicing this activity is in fact very simple because the ball, which can bounce once on the ground before being hit, after the first rebound in the opponent’s court, can carom on the glass walls without stopping the game. “But – continues Andrea – there are also other aspects that make this activity so fun and captivating: the fact that it involves a two-on-two challenge and that males and females can play together, as physical strength is not a dominant factor. Which allows four friends to get together, before or after a pizza or an aperitif, to spend a different evening than usual in the name of discussion and fun”.
VL: “So the answer is: game.”
AF: “Not really, or at least not only, since the technique can obviously be deepened to the point of becoming a real sporting activity, both from a technical/tactical point of view and from an athletic point of view. As a demonstration of this, it will most likely also be introduced at the Olympics, it is already being talked about. In the big cities, moreover, parents have begun to enroll their children in Padel as an extracurricular activity”.
VL: “But what is the requirement to play ‘well’?”
AF: “Definitely the tactics, that is, the reasoning on where to position yourself on the field and where to direct the shots. Obviously, good physical preparation also helps.”
Andrea Fratini is 28 years old and is a guy who has always tried to create something new. After various experiences in the sports field, for more than two years he has taken over the management of the Chiusi fields in the Poggio Gallina area, which are also open in winter with a special cover. Since May of this year he has also been the manager and partner of Matteo Franci in the Padel & Tennis 2.0 centre in Cortona, a much larger and more structured sports facility, which in addition to three courts dedicated to this activity also includes two tennis courts and one pickleball court, another game that is making its way for its fun simplicity and that is already depopulating in America. The centre also includes a bar and a clubhouse for recreational activities as well as sports, such as themed dinners or other events.
VL: “Andrea, what does sport represent for you?”
AF: “I was born into a family where physical activity has always been at the centre, without it I could not live. On the contrary, I don’t wish anyone to see me still and sedentary, I can become intractable” he tells us smiling. “I practiced everything: football, tennis, basketball, swimming… After high school I took a master’s degree in Sports Science and I have always tried to do something I really liked; I must say that now I am finally succeeding. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I also had the stubbornness not to listen to the advice of my parents, sometimes understandably worried about my future. But I can’t help but always look ahead, towards my most authentic aspirations”.
We end this brilliant chat by asking Andrea if there is one more reason to practice Padel, in addition to the many he has already explained to us. We really like the answer: “It’s an excuse to escape from the stress of life: in that hour and a half of play you are so focused that you forget everything else”.
Info and bookings:
Power Padel 2.0, Località Poggio Gallina, Chiusi (Si) / Tel. 345 8005421 (Andrea Fratini)
Cortona Padel & Tennis 2.0, Terontola, Cortona (Ar) / Tel. 339 8275444 (Andrea Fratini)