At 38 years, Maxi Sánchez, the former world number 1, nicknamed "El Tiburón", remains a reference in padel. In an interview given to Diario AS, the Argentinian returned to his new association with Xisco Gil, his view on the evolution of professional padel and how he is approaching the final stage of his career.

A new adventure with Xisco Gil

After his separation fromÁlex Ruiz, Sánchez chose to leave with Xisco Gil, a player he has known for a long time: "We are friends, we shared a lot in training. Playing with someone you like changes everything in the way you operate on the court. It allows you to bring out your best version." A human complicity that he hopes to transform into results.

Pair changes? “I’m an old hand”

True to his vision of the game and loyalty to projects, the "Tiburón" admits that he is not a fan of the current trend: "I don't like constant breaks, I'm an old-school player. Projects need time to work."
But he recognizes that this instability comes mainly from the generational renewal : "Young people are coming through quickly and are looking to progress alongside experienced players. This will eventually stabilize, when there are even more young people between 20 and 35 years old on the tour."

A not-so-underrated former number 1

Often forgotten when talking about former number 1s like Belasteguín, Juan Martín Díaz ou Paquito Navarro, Sánchez does not consider himself undervalued: "I don't see it that way. My game was simpler, but I got the most out of it. I was the one working the point, giving volume to the game, while Sanyo put on a show. We formed a complementary duo."

The secret to reaching the top

Maxi insists on the discipline and consistency : “Being number 1 takes a lot of hard work and humility. It took me years to prepare for this. I moved forward by setting realistic goals and learning from my mistakes. It’s only by truly believing in your training plan that you can reach such a level.”

“I just want to keep fighting.”

Now, the Argentinian is no longer chasing titles, but sensations: "I want to be competitive, to feel that I can beat anyone. I want to play two or three more years, depending on what my body allows me."
A message of love for padel, which he still lives with the same passion as when he started: "Padel has given me everything: an incredible career, friends, unforgettable moments. My only ambition today is to enjoy on the court »

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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