The only Chilean player to have established a permanent presence on the circuit Premier PadelJavier Valdés, the world's 83rd-ranked player, continues his rise among the elite. In Bordeaux, where he competed in the tournament alongside Frenchman Thomas Leygue, the player, who grew up in a close-knit padel family, reflected on his journey, his arrival in Spain, his new training environment with Matías Díaz, and also his thoughts on the playing conditions at the Bordeaux P2. An interview with a player who prefers long rallies to displays of power. 

“I am the only Chilean on the circuit who is at 100%”

 Padel Magazine You are currently one of the few Chileans playing on Premier PadelHow did it all begin? 

 Javier Valdés:  Everything happened very naturally.

My father was one of the pioneers of padel in Chile. He was also among the first professional players at a time when padel was developing mainly in South America.

My whole family has always lived around this sport. We've had clubs, brands linked to padel… I grew up in this world.

As I was the youngest in the family, it was ultimately me who decided to take the adventure to the professional level.

Today, I am fortunate enough to be able to live entirely from padel and to play on the best circuit in the world. For a Chilean, this is a real source of pride.

 Are you currently the only Chilean player established on the circuit? 

I don't know the exact ranking of the second best Chilean.

But today, I am indeed the only one who can dedicate myself 100% to the circuit Premier Padel.

From Chile to the world elite: the long road of Javier Valdés

 "With Thomas Leygue, everything happened naturally." 

 How did this partnership with Thomas Leygue come about? 

We already knew each other very well.

We train at the same academy in Madrid.

We share the same coaches.

Basically, it's simply a particular situation.

My usual partner this season, Renzo Núñez, had to return to Argentina for a few weeks to take care of some personal matters.

At the same time, Thomas was gradually returning from a very complicated injury.

The idea therefore came about naturally.

We were already training together every day.

 Is this partnership likely to last? 

No.

It's a one-off collaboration.

We are competing in Bordeaux and then the FIP Bronze at La Nucía this week.

Then, everyone will normally return to their original project.

 What do you think of Thomas Leygue's current level? 

I am a little older than him and I have followed his progress since his beginnings.

He's a wonderful boy.

The ranking he occupies today is completely misleading.

His injury has severely hampered him.

But his true level is far superior to his current ranking.

I am convinced that he will quickly regain his place.

I just hope we end this little adventure with good feelings.

Off the field as well as on the track, we get along very well.

From Chile to the world elite: the long road of Javier Valdés

 "To succeed, you had to come to Spain." 

 When did you decide to leave Chile? 

When I decided to become a professional, around 16 or 17 years old.

At that time, almost the entire world circuit was contested in Spain.

We were still talking about the World Padel Tour.

Between 80 and 90% of the tournaments took place here.

Ultimately, there weren't many other options.

I initially made several trips of two or three months to discover the level of education and life there.

Then, around 2017-2018, I made the decision to settle permanently.

Today marks almost ten years since I started living in Spain.

I went from World Padel Tour à Premier Padel And I am very happy with the progress made.

 Did your family stay in Chile? 

Yes.

My whole family still lives there.

I am the only one based in Spain.

 "I was lucky enough to be coached by my idols." 

 You changed academies this season. Why? 

My previous coach was going to move.

So I joined CEPAC where I now work with Matías Díaz and Gastón Malacalza.

For me, it's a huge opportunity.

 You were coached by several big names in padel… 

Yes.

Before that, I had worked with Maxi Gabriel.

Then with Cristian Gutiérrez for almost two years.

Today, I am with Matías Díaz.

These are three players who left a mark on my childhood.

They played the same position as me.

I was watching their matches on television.

They were all among the top four players in the world.

Today I try to take the best from everyone.

Every coach brings something to the table.

But when it comes to players you admired as a child, learning takes on an even more special dimension.

 "In Bordeaux, we really play padel." 

 What do you think of the playing conditions in Bordeaux? 

Personally, I love it.

I am a player who likes to build up play.

I like long periods.

This track requires playing padel.

It rewards players who have multiple solutions in their game.

The previous week in Valladolid, the conditions greatly favoured the big hitters.

Here, many more resources need to be used.

Padel is becoming more complete.

And that's the type of game I prefer.

 Do you think these conditions were also suitable for Thomas Leygue? 

Yes, I think so.

Even though it's always difficult to compare with another track.

Personally, these conditions suit me perfectly.

And I believe that Thomas's style is also better expressed when the exchanges are longer.

We have more time to build up points.

 True padel is not just about power .

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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