"I´m aware that teaching is a custom-made suit"

Rodri Ovide (Buenos Aires, 1979) started in the world of padel at a very young age. After 12 seasons as a professional player of this sport, since 2008 he has dedicated himself to being on the other side of the glass; he is the coach of two of the most outstanding couples of the moment. 

Bullpadel: You have started 2022 sitting on the bench of the two winning couples of the tournaments held so far. How do you keep such a high level in each tournament?

RODRI: The truth is that there is no secret other than daily work, giving 100% in every training session and maintaining a good dialogue with the players so that together we can polish those things that don't go quite right or with which they feel uncomfortable. The key is to emphasise the things that they feel they do well in tournaments.

B: Do you adapt your coaching methods to the players over the years or do you stick to a fixed method?

R: Although I have my own style of how I like to play padel or how my couples play padel, I am aware that teaching is a custom-made suit as we are all totally different people. That's why I try to give my vision of how each player should play and how they should play as a couple, but experience over the years has shown me that this is a decision that is made between the three parts of the team.

B: What is the importance of the coaches in the breaks?

R: The truth is that I could say a lot and I could also say none, because I am convinced that the coach must know the players very well. Sitting on the bench with someone you don't know doesn't ensure you make them play better because often your vision from the bench is one. You can tell him to do something for the next change and maybe that player isn't ready for it or doesn't have the confidence to do it.

But I can also tell you that the coach has the fundamental and main role of makng sure that in that change of side the players can go out to play the next two games with a clear understanding and a conviction and confidence to do what they talked about.

B: What are Ale and Gemma's expectations for this season?

R: The expectation with Gemma and Ale is very similar to last year. To try to play as many Sundays as possible in the finals and once there, to try to win as many as possible.

B: Are Paquito and Martin going for the number one ranking?

R: It's something we don't think about. As with the girls, the goal is to try to be in the tournament as many Sundays as possible. Once there, try to win as many as we can. But we are also aware that last year we were very close to being able to get that number one, so it is something that we look at it as a nice challenge.

B: Regarding the Bullpadel Academy, how does the work done in Brunete influence the results we are witnessing?

R: A lot. I am a convinced that the competition always levels up helped by the human group; that in the same time all that group pushes and helps everyone to reach the maximum possible.

Although with Gaby we have an academy format, we take great care to be very close to all the players as we believe it is essential for them to develop day by day to find their best version.

B: How important is it to start working with padel players from an early age?

R: The truth is that the more hours they spend on a padel court and the earlier they pick up a padel racket, the more skills they will be able to develop. All this accompanied by good professionals so that at each stage of their growth they achieve the right learning without wanting to make too big steps.