Met during Greenweez Paris Major at Roland-Garros, the Argentinian Luciano “Lucho” Capra lucidly evokes the reality of professional padel : a sport that is booming, but whose economy remains fragile for many players.

A highly anticipated return after a six-month hiatus

Suffering from a torn meniscus, I fight Capra had to wait more than six months before getting back on the slopes.
"Today, I feel 100%," he confides, relieved to have regained his sensations.
But beyond the physical aspect, it was above all the mental aspect that was severely tested:
"The hardest part, without a doubt, is the mental aspect. Many times, you become your own enemy. You have to fight against yourself to keep moving forward."

An inner ordeal which, according to him, made him stronger and more focused on the essentials: playing again, without skipping steps.

A demanding and increasingly expensive circuit

Although padel has never attracted so much attention, the lives of players remain very unequal.
"The best in the world earn more money, but for mid-level players, it's much more complicated," admits the Argentinian, currently ranked around 60th in the world. FIP ranking.

To remain competitive, you now need a complete team: coach, physical trainer, nutritionist, physiotherapist…
"All of this represents a significant cost. And with constant travel, the expenses become enormous," he points out.

Despite the increase in prize money and with the growing interest of sponsors, economic balance remains difficult to achieve for the majority of players.
"Padel is becoming professional quickly, but its economic model is not yet viable for everyone," he summarizes.

Warning for younger generations

Capra is also concerned about young up-and-coming players:
"We need to reduce the economic impact to give them a real chance. Otherwise, many will fall behind simply for financial reasons."

According to him, the FIP tournaments play an important role in the progression of players, especially those returning from injury, but they are not enough to compensate for the structural inequalities of the circuit.

Between ambition and lucidity

After his victory at the FIP Silver in Isle de Palma and several encouraging matches, Capra moves forward with undiminished motivation.
"My goal is simple: to stay healthy, play at my best level and enjoy every tournament," he says.

A clear and inspiring message from an experienced player, aware of the realities of a growing sport, but still seeking a sustainable balance between performance and economic viability.

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