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Hey Padel enthusiasts welcome to Padel Smash Academy, I am Cesc and I am here with Julian and we're all about Padel! Whether you're new to the sport or an experienced player, you've come to the right place. Our goal is to provide you with the best tips & tricks, news, and weekly lessons to help you improve your game and take your Padel to the next level. So grab your Padel Racket and let's get started with all things Padel on Padel Smash Academy.
Hey, guys. My name's Lola. And today, I'm going to be taking over Paddle Smash Academy. I will be guest interviewing the future best pro paddle player in the world, Ornella Beltramino. Ornella, the first time that I saw you was actually at reserve, and I was walking with my dad, and he told me about you and he pointed at you and then I looked over and I was like, oh my gosh.
Lola Caceres:She's amazing because I saw you were playing. Where were you originally from?
Ornella Beltramino:I was born in Miami and my my dad is from Argentina, Buenos Aires and my mom is from Chicago.
Lola Caceres:That's great. So you where do you currently live?
Ornella Beltramino:I live well, half half the time here in Spain and half the time in Miami.
Lola Caceres:So where do you go to school?
Ornella Beltramino:I do online school. I do online school. So that gives me the opportunity to do in the more, practice in the morning title and in the afternoon because their 6 hours is different.
Lola Caceres:Oh, okay. And, do you do you spend more time in Miami or in Spain?
Ornella Beltramino:Probably here in Spain because I have to compete. So in in Miami, there's no, like, kids, tournaments. So I have 2 from here in Spain.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Spain is definitely more competitive than my Hanmi's. So Yeah. I mean, I get why you would wanna be there. What would you call, like, your home?
Ornella Beltramino:Probably here in Spain. I mean, I feel very comfortable here. I mean, I have, like, a lot of friends here and the paddle is, like, the reason that I'm here. So I'm very happy about that.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. So do all of your friends there play paddle or do you also have friends in Miami?
Ornella Beltramino:I think all of them are here in Spain. I train with them. Like, my friends are all from the competitive academy in Montemar. So yes. They're all from Paddle.
Lola Caceres:How old were you when you first got introduced to paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:9 9 years old.
Lola Caceres:And how old are you now?
Ornella Beltramino:10.
Lola Caceres:Oh my goodness. Wow. That's amazing. Did you play any other racket sports before Paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. I actually played tennis for when I I started when I was 3 years old and then, I finished at 9 years old. So played all those 6 years tennis.
Lola Caceres:Wow. And who was the person who taught you and introduced you first to paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:Probably my dad because he owned a paddle club in 2009. 99. I was I almost was born in a paddle court.
Lola Caceres:So,
Ornella Beltramino:every I always saw a paddle. I I never played, but I always saw.
Lola Caceres:That's so cool, actually. Where was the paddle club?
Ornella Beltramino:It was in Miami. It was in Miami.
Lola Caceres:Oh, okay. And it's not running anymore? You guys don't have it?
Ornella Beltramino:Holiday. And, you know, paddle life, like, it's in Miami? Well, they actually owned it. Now we don't own any clubs.
Lola Caceres:What what do you, like, love most about the sport paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:I love every aspect of the of the sport, but I really like the social part, and I also like attacking in the Volley.
Lola Caceres:Oh, Chris. So what side do you prefer to play then? The drive or the left? Oh, the left. Okay.
Lola Caceres:And any specific reason? Or
Ornella Beltramino:because probably the left side is actually where you attack most and the right is, like, more trying to make the whole point where the left can attack it.
Lola Caceres:And do you have a favorite, like, chattel player, like, famous?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. Well, I have, 2 actually. They're very similar styles and it's Val Gonzalez and Val de Jose Maria. I love because they attack a lot. So and I really like that game.
Ornella Beltramino:I I I I attack a lot, so I like their game and their style.
Lola Caceres:That's super cool. I'm actually wearing Paula's shirt right now. Oh, really? Nice. Yeah.
Lola Caceres:Have you ever met them or, like, trained with them?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. So we we spoke with them with dad Gonzalez that was in the tour that came in Miami in reserve. I think they made it. And we we we, like, rallied with Gonzales and Ortega, and, yeah, I rallied. And with Paula Jose Maria.
Ornella Beltramino:Well, I trained with her in a club that I was invited to, and I saw her and I trained fitness with her. So yeah.
Lola Caceres:That's great. How many times a week do you train?
Ornella Beltramino:So I train in the morning with my dad and
Lola Caceres:the afternoon I turned with and that's
Ornella Beltramino:number one player. So I do 2 turns and I approximately train 25 hours per week, include and and I play, tournaments in the weekends.
Lola Caceres:Wow. So your weekend your week must be really busy. Yeah.
Ornella Beltramino:It's, very scheduled.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. So how do you make time for school and how do you handle all of that?
Ornella Beltramino:So I have a part of the day of school that is from 3 from 3 to 5 from 3 to 5:30 or 6. And when I come back from from paddle in the afternoon, I do all my homework and I go to classes there. So, yes, it took 3 hours in the middle of the day and probably, like, 2 hours after.
Lola Caceres:That's wow. That's a very big Yeah. I
Ornella Beltramino:know. I know.
Lola Caceres:What when you're training, what paddle do you use?
Ornella Beltramino:So I use an extreme motion head, a head racket. Yeah.
Lola Caceres:Wow. That's that's great. And you have you ever used a different one or you've always used that one?
Ornella Beltramino:No. I used the star by one. Yes. I used star by, and now I'm using Head.
Lola Caceres:And I know Head is one of your sponsors. Right?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. Correct. And Reserve.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Oh, yeah reserved too and how do they support you?
Ornella Beltramino:So he gives me all the all the clothing, the rackets, everything, and reserve helps me, like, I I train in their clubs. Actually, when I go to Miami, I trained there, and, Rizzo helped me with, with the practice and everything.
Lola Caceres:So what are some, like, major responsibilities that you have being, like, an ambassador for, like, reserve paddle and everything?
Ornella Beltramino:Probably, well, having a great attitude in the core and, yeah, and always being there. And I always have to, be at least, I think, 1 once, once a month in their club when I go to Miami. So, yes, I have to train there every day.
Lola Caceres:Well, do they support you, like, financially? Yes. That's good. That's always good. What is there what tournaments are do you compete in?
Ornella Beltramino:Every weekend, there's a tournament here in Spain. So every weekend, I go to, rails, lagrono. Like, actually, I played a tournament, this weekend and I actually was, I won I won the tournament. So yeah.
Lola Caceres:Wow. That's that's amazing. Good job. What's your favorite paddle club then? Because you're always playing paddle.
Ornella Beltramino:Yeah. Of course. So here in Spain, it would be, Paddle Point where I train in the mornings and Montemar where where I turn the afternoons and in Miami Reserve.
Lola Caceres:Of course. Do you have any other hobbies besides paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:So I have a hobby that in the winter, I go, like, 4 days skiing, like, from vacations. I really like skiing. So in the winter, I do ski for 4 days.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. My family also goes skiing, and I feel like it's super fun even though Yeah. It's really cold. But Yes. Super fun.
Ornella Beltramino:A little bit risky. I mean, I have to say, but it's very fun.
Lola Caceres:How do you see yourself in the future? And, like, what are some goals that you have for yourself with Pattern?
Ornella Beltramino:I wanna be the number one player in the whole entire world. Okay. Okay.
Lola Caceres:I I know you can definitely do it, but what are some things that you think you can do to accomplish that?
Ornella Beltramino:Training every day, giving all my best, always always having a great attitude in the court and, giving my best every day in the court.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Have you ever felt like you were in a slump of any sore or, like, you just didn't want to play?
Ornella Beltramino:Oof. Never. I have to tell you never. In tennis, I did. In tennis, I did, but in paddling never.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. I know some, like, famous, people in sports, they kinda feel burnt out in, like, since they play so much. But, I mean, if you don't If you love the sport, I mean, sometimes, yes, it could
Ornella Beltramino:playing all the time could actually, tire you, but in my in my case, I wouldn't because I really love playing it.
Lola Caceres:That's great. Have you ever, like, been injured by the sport or in general? Or
Ornella Beltramino:Never. Never. And I hope not to have severe ones. That's why I do fitness training with my dad in the morning. So yeah.
Ornella Beltramino:Yeah.
Lola Caceres:That will help me help you. And do you have, like, any advice for kids who wanna start Paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:Well, maybe that doesn't matter what age they are. They can always start because the sport has, a lot of benefits. Like, it helps you with mental health. It it you get exercise and you have a social part because you play with the double partner. And it's very easy to learn, in my opinion, and you're gonna have, like, a bomb in the course.
Ornella Beltramino:It's, like, so much fun. So much fun.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Definitely. In my experience, when my crazy paddle dad introduced me to paddle, I at first I was like, like, okay, I guess I could go. Like, I wasn't so into it because I'm really big on volleyball. That's like my sport that I love.
Lola Caceres:But when I finally got in and I started playing with my family and people that like made me have fun, I loved it. I think it's so fun and it's more challenging than tennis. Cause I also used to play tennis a little bit.
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, really? Well, probably, you also have to, like you have to know your partner good. I mean, I think that's a very without, your partner, you can't play. So I think you have to depend depend on your partner a lot, and you have to have a good connection. So that's a little bit harder.
Ornella Beltramino:But yeah.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Definitely. Do you have someone like that? Like, a partner that you always go to, or do you switch it up sometimes? I now I'm playing, with a
Ornella Beltramino:girl, Martina Candelo, in my category. And and I also play, the the nonnational ones, like, the normal tournaments. I put in, like, one one category above, like, it's 14. And, yes, and I play for another girl of 13 years old, but not Cessareen.
Lola Caceres:So I
Ornella Beltramino:play with you.
Lola Caceres:Do you, well, do you like playing with younger kids, like, your age better? Or do you find that you like the competition more when you're playing with older people?
Ornella Beltramino:Kids, for sure. A 100%. Kids is much more fun and yeah. We have that, like, competitive, because sometimes in adults, like, they seem a little bit little and they're like, they don't wanna hit me and this kid didn't have no problem. They hit me and they do.
Ornella Beltramino:Yeah.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Yeah. And what's your, like, top top favorite shot in paddle that you love doing?
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, I really like my, forehand, volley because I like attacking the the, rivals. So I really like my forehand volley.
Lola Caceres:What would you say is, like, your weakest shot?
Ornella Beltramino:Oof. I can't tell you that. That's for the rivals. If they hear that, they're gonna know. I can't tell you that one.
Lola Caceres:Okay. I'm thinking. Have you I was wondering, have you learned how to do, a kick smash or tres yet? Or are you working on it?
Ornella Beltramino:So I'm actually working on it, but with my against, when I rallied against Baga Gonzalez Martita Ortega, I actually, did it. I was I think I was 9, and I took it from 3. And now I'm working on it from back, like, back of the line. So yeah.
Lola Caceres:That's amazing. That's crazy that you did it on them too.
Ornella Beltramino:It was my first time, and I did it. It was, like, amazing because 2 professionals there, and I took it by 3, and I was like, I can't believe I did that.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. That's so cool. Like, when whenever I do it, the crowd always goes, like, wild. Like, they're so impressed.
Ornella Beltramino:It's very actually a very good shot, and, yes, it's very hard to do it.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. It's definitely really hard. I mean, like, I don't know. Whenever I do it, like, people are so impressed and they're like, oh my god. How does she do it?
Lola Caceres:And I'm like, oh, I don't know. No. I'm just kidding. I don't know how to do that one yet. But, I mean, I wish.
Lola Caceres:Do you ever get, like, nervous before matches? Or
Ornella Beltramino:yes. I think every every person that's gonna play a tournament will get nervous. I get very nervous, But I try to calm down by, having deep sweats and, try I hear some music sometimes in my head, and I start, like, singing it, like, softly to calm to calm myself down.
Lola Caceres:Yes. When I play volleyball, like, if we go to the finals or anything like that, I can relate because me and my team get, like, really nervous since, like, there's so much pressure. You know? So
Ornella Beltramino:I try
Lola Caceres:to yeah. Of course. So I try to, like, just focus on what I need to do and just, like, calm myself down before I play.
Ornella Beltramino:Nice. Yes. I do that all the time.
Lola Caceres:And do you have any, like, superstitions or, like, funny things that you do before or after a game?
Ornella Beltramino:So before a game, I in the car, I have these headphones, not these, but another one. And I start hearing music that motivated me before a match, and that always helps me. And yeah. I I always hear music before I go to to a match.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Do you have any, like like, a celebration that you always do in the court when you make a really good shot or anything like that?
Ornella Beltramino:So yes. People tell me this and I I when I went to a point, I, like, get the punch there and let's go. I think it's my partner. Yeah.
Lola Caceres:That's great. I mean, it will pump them up if anything. So it's good energy.
Ornella Beltramino:Yeah. I think that's very important because, like, the positive energy actually helps a lot because when when you get negative, I think, it puts your partner down. For example, your partner, puts it in the net, I think if you put, like, a face or, like, do like this, I think that's gonna give them negative and more unsecure, for their next shot.
Lola Caceres:Definitely. I can totally relate to that. I feel as if, like, when I'm on the court thing, I think that if my partners or, like, the my teammates, if I do something wrong and they, like, make me feel bad for, I kind of think about it and then I feel like I still
Ornella Beltramino:do it. Right?
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. So that's good that you always try to pump them up. That's smart.
Lola Caceres:Do you, like travel a lot for paddle tournaments? Like, do you go to other countries and stuff besides Spain?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. I travel a lot in Spain, actually. I go, I go, like, 6 hours now. I'm going this, yeah, this week I'm going to Livonia, like, 6 hours. Last weekend I went to Rio.
Ornella Beltramino:That is 4 hours. Every weekend I'm traveling, like, for, like, 2 hours per per weekend. So yeah.
Lola Caceres:Wow. That's that's commitment. What what's, like, one of the what's one of your favorite places that you've traveled to?
Ornella Beltramino:I really like Raos. The, I think the views are amazing. The climate, I really loved it. And there's a lot of flies and mosquitoes, but, I mean, it it was amazing either way.
Lola Caceres:Do you have any, like, great memories with Paddle, or what's your favorite memory or match that you
Ornella Beltramino:have? I really liked, it was my first tournament. It's like, It's where all the all the players prepare for that one. Everybody wants to win it. It's the most important tournament of the year.
Ornella Beltramino:And it was my first tournament. I didn't even know my partner. I haven't never I haven't played with her, so it was very, and we got to the final. I mean, we lost the in the super tight break, but we had an amazing time and a great experience. And it was my first tournament, so I was very proud of that.
Lola Caceres:That's amazing. Wow. Oh my goodness. That's so that's super cool.
Ornella Beltramino:When did he start playing paddle?
Lola Caceres:It all started with my dad. So he really likes, like, he has hobbies and throughout his life, he's gone through like, 3 major hobbies. 1 of them was, like, fishing and one of them was cars. And the most recent one was paddle. So once he found it, which was when he came to Miami since it's like super big here, he made sure everyone knew about it, especially our family.
Lola Caceres:So there wasn't a day that went by when I wasn't hearing about it. So obviously, I got kind of like, oh, like, what is this? You know, like, thinking about it. And then I think it was maybe like, 2 years ago or a year ago that he actually, like, brought me and my family out. And he just started, like, hitting around with us.
Lola Caceres:And he was still learning too. So obviously, he didn't know it, like, that much as he does now. But he's still, like, a paddle goose. So he always, like, tells us stuff, like, new news about Palo or anything like that. So that's kind of how I first, like, started.
Lola Caceres:And I've never done, actual tournament or anything. I usually just go with my brothers since my dad has also trained them and just hit around with them. And any friends that I have who wanna play, we just do that just like a friendly match, you know?
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, Wow. That's like that's very similar to my dad, but wow. So 2 years. And do you like volleyball a lot?
Lola Caceres:Yeah. I feel like my like, volleyball is probably your paddle, honestly. Oh, volleyball. I'm, yeah, I'm super into it. And I first started when I came to Miami because, I was born in Connecticut, and there's not much of, like, anything in Connecticut.
Lola Caceres:So there's not really, like, big on sports like paddle and especially volleyball. It's not that big. So when I came to Miami and I saw, like, everyone was playing, like, just for fun out in the open and everything, I was really curious. And so I started in my school, and then they started teaching me and everything. And I just got, like, hooked just like that.
Lola Caceres:So I think it's really similar with, like, my dad and Paddle and you with Paddle. So I love it. I still play right now. I just came back from a tournament actually too. How did you do it?
Lola Caceres:And yeah. Well, we got 1st place in, like, the 2nd level. Oh, nice. So I
Ornella Beltramino:like when you got this place.
Lola Caceres:It was it was really fun. It was super cool experience, and it was kind of like the nationals. So there was people from, like, Puerto Rico there and, like, people from all over the USA, and I just thought it was really cool. That sounds amazing. I was
Ornella Beltramino:like, I was there.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. I know it's not as amazing as, like, playing in like different tournaments in Spain and everything, but that's probably like what ours my for volleyball is like.
Ornella Beltramino:That's amazing, really.
Lola Caceres:How do you deal with pressure? Do you feel any pressure with your dad or from school, with friends, or anything like that?
Ornella Beltramino:Well, yes. I do have pressure, but, actually, this is kinda weird. I I like having pressure. I mean, that motivates me more to do something. So having pressure actually helps me a lot.
Ornella Beltramino:So I know it's weird but I like it.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. No. I mean, I feel like I agree. I think just to an extent, you know, like, if you're over pressured, then you could lose focus or something like that.
Ornella Beltramino:Of course. Yeah. I mean, I'm all over pressure, but Sure. I mean, for example, if, I don't know, an important person is going to a tournament and then and it's and he's seen my match. I mean, I really, like, get motivated and I start playing amazing.
Ornella Beltramino:So I get motivated by stuff that are kinda crazy.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Yeah. In Volleyball, like, I think well, for me, that's, like, recruiters, they call them, and it's for college and stuff like that. So do you think, like, in the future, you could get a scholarship to school or something, or would you be looking for that?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. I I actually hope there's gonna be a scholarship, for the universities because I really would love that. But I don't know. That's gonna take a little bit of time in the US, of course.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Yeah. I think it would take maybe, like, a couple of years Yeah. For the USA to catch up with everything about Paddle. I know Miami is really big, but once it, like, gets everywhere, then probably way more schools will have a chance for a scholarship there.
Lola Caceres:So that would be really cool if you got one.
Ornella Beltramino:Of course. I mean, I think it's growing a lot in the Miami, and actually, it's, like, growing a lot in every part of the world. So so it's a sport that is, like, going everywhere. So very happy of that. Like, people are starting to know about paddle and starting to play, so very happy.
Lola Caceres:How do your friends feel about, like, playing with one of the best in your age?
Ornella Beltramino:I think I think they're very happy for me. I mean, when I wouldn't turn them a match, they always, like, from Instagram, I don't have a phone, but from my parents' phone, they're they're always, like, saying congratulations. You played amazing. They always see my matches. So I'm actually very grateful for them because they're very, very nice people.
Lola Caceres:That's great. So you have many supporters then?
Ornella Beltramino:Of course. Family especially there. Even if they're in Miami, my grandma, my aunts, my uncles everywhere, they're always, on on the road with me.
Lola Caceres:So most of your family live in Miami then?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. All all of them, actually.
Lola Caceres:Wow. Yeah. Do you ever feel like like you wanna come back just for your family or you just love Spain?
Ornella Beltramino:I just love Spain, but sometimes my grandma and my uncles come here for some weeks and we're actually trying to buy an apartment for them so they can stay a bit longer. So very happy for that because they're always in contact. I call them from FaceTime and I I yeah. So I'm very in contact. They're always part of my life.
Lola Caceres:That's that's amazing. Do you have any, like, pets or brothers or anything like that or sisters?
Ornella Beltramino:I'm a only child, but I have a dog. He's sitting right next to me right now. Yeah. He's a very
Lola Caceres:big dog. Oh my goodness. Yeah.
Ornella Beltramino:He's enormous. But dude. 1 £183. So
Lola Caceres:No way. Yeah. 23. I I also have a dog, but she's only, like, £20. Yeah.
Lola Caceres:A
Ornella Beltramino:little bit of difference over there, but it's fine.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Do you bring him with you to like, when you come back to Miami?
Ornella Beltramino:No. He actually stays here with the gardener. I mean, we have a lot of relationship with the gardener. So, yeah, he stays here. We just go for a few months.
Ornella Beltramino:For us, so it's not that much.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. What's the dog's name?
Ornella Beltramino:Figo. He's one of the players in football. I mean, soccer. Sorry.
Lola Caceres:Oh my so you're you're not gonna believe this, but my brother's name is actually Figo too.
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, really?
Lola Caceres:Yeah. Yeah. Well, my dad named him because of the soccer player. So you know the soccer player? What do you like better?
Lola Caceres:Speaking English or Spanish?
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, I think Spanish because I'm very, fluent in Spanish. And here in English, I get a little chunky sometimes.
Lola Caceres:Mhmm. Is there anything, like, with Hada that you don't really love about the sport? Like, anything that you don't?
Ornella Beltramino:Well, I oh, it's a hard question. Nope. I don't have anything. Sorry.
Lola Caceres:That's fine. Of course. I mean, it is a hard question. If you really love a sport, then there's nothing can stand in the way of that. Yeah.
Lola Caceres:I see that, like, on social media, you're marketing yourself, like, with and everything. So who helps you with that? Your parents or do you have
Ornella Beltramino:children? A social media lady. She's from Argentina. Her name is Jessica, and she does all my, social media and, yeah, she did a great job. So yeah.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. I I was looking at it, and you definitely look good. She made you look good. Do you in tournaments and, like, when you're practicing, do you compete with boys or girls only or co ed?
Ornella Beltramino:In tournaments, in my category is only girls. And and then when I train in to, like, a competitive group, and I train with boys only there. They're 14 years old.
Lola Caceres:Oh, so do you think that since you have higher competitors, do you think it makes you better? Yeah. I think
Ornella Beltramino:it actually does because, the difference be between the boys because, they have a lot of they have much more strength than a girl has. So I'm a very, yeah. I mean, they have so much strength in there that I have to run for the ball. I have to defend. And when I play with the girls, it's like, well, it's a it's a easier level even though it's, like, very hard, but it's not that hard as, playing the competitive group that I train with.
Lola Caceres:And, I saw that when you played in the red paddle tournament at PaddleX, you were playing with adults. So are you able to play with adults, or how does it work?
Ornella Beltramino:So in Miami, there's no kids' title, so I have to, play the tournaments with adults. And, if red paddle actually made an exception for me, so I I played with adults. But usually, the tournaments of adults, I would not be able to play.
Lola Caceres:So you must be very special to them then.
Ornella Beltramino:Well, yeah. I think so.
Lola Caceres:Did you like playing with the adults or, like, do they take it easy on you? Or
Ornella Beltramino:so I think it's a tournament, and it's a good time. I think they're gonna take it more seriously. But, I really feel so good with kids because with adults, I think my my partner, Becca, her name is, was an adult and we played more than her because I don't know if they really don't wanna fill up me. Like, when there's a good pride, they start hitting on me and I I really like that.
Lola Caceres:Yeah. That's that's good. You get, like
Ornella Beltramino:More facts.
Lola Caceres:A taste of, like, when you're older, what you may experience.
Ornella Beltramino:Exactly.
Lola Caceres:Now this is a hard question. Who do you who do you who would you say is better, you or your dad?
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, my dad. Of course, my dad. He was an extra professional, so follow my dad. Yeah.
Lola Caceres:Do you wanna become better than him?
Ornella Beltramino:Oh, yes. I do.
Lola Caceres:I think it would be really cool if you ever come to Miami If, like, me and my dad could just play or meet you and your dad, I think that would be really cool.
Ornella Beltramino:That match. I like that match. I will I, when I go to Miami, I'll I'll text you, and we'll see if we can make, the match you reserved, and we'll play there.
Lola Caceres:Yes. Of course. That would be amazing. It'd be super fun.
Ornella Beltramino:Yes.
Lola Caceres:And you can, like, show me the ropes since you're, like, a professional. You know? Do you know when you will be back in Miami next?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. I am I'll be back on the 5th September. I look for one of those 2.
Lola Caceres:Okay. And has your school ended yet since I know you're online? So Yes.
Ornella Beltramino:It ended, like, 1 month ago, and I start this August 17th.
Lola Caceres:How long are, like, the school classes or the school days?
Ornella Beltramino:You're about 3 hours, per day, but you have to do all the homework, and sometimes you have to go to extra classes to help you do your homework. So it's technically, like, a normal day in school.
Lola Caceres:K. And when when you visit Miami, do you stay for, like, a long time? Like, when you said you're coming in September, are you gonna stay for a while or just, visit?
Ornella Beltramino:A while. Maybe, like, a month or 2 months, but I have to come compete back because there's some big tournaments. And, I would have to come back. So maybe, like, a few months only.
Lola Caceres:Mhmm. And for those tournaments, do you get, like, cash prizes or prizes if you win?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. Well, I think you get the trophy. I you got a trophy, but I think the sensation is the biggest prize of you winning is, like, amazing that sensation, but they give you a trophy or a medal.
Lola Caceres:That's that's really cool. I mean, I feel like a medal or, like, a trophy is, like, what you'll remember, and you can by looking at that, if you keep it in your room or anything, you can remember, like, how it felt to win since it felt so good.
Ornella Beltramino:Yeah. I mean, I have, like, a little cabinet with all my medals, trophies, yeah, or hats that I have from, like, places that I went. So yeah.
Lola Caceres:Do you have, like, a favorite partner that you play with there in Spain?
Ornella Beltramino:Yes. Well, in my category, Regina Candela. That's my current, partner. And in the 14th, a category, above would be Vanessa Serene. That's also currently my partner.
Lola Caceres:That's good. And do you train alone or do you practice with them? In the morning, I train alone
Ornella Beltramino:with my dad. And in
Lola Caceres:the afternoon, I go to
Ornella Beltramino:Pico Los Salas in Monte Mar, and I train with a competitive group. And I train sometimes, well, with Vanessa because my my my category, Martina, lives in Santa Nune. So it's, like, 4 hours from here, so she can't can't. I don't think she's gonna come train. So I train with financial only and the other competitive group.
Lola Caceres:That's great. When you're in Spain, do you frequently see, like, professional title players that you, like, see them?
Ornella Beltramino:Well, maybe not not every day, but sometimes I see them because sometimes I go to clubs and they're training there, and I say hi and yeah. So maybe, like, not that much, but I see them.
Lola Caceres:So here's a very classic question, which I think I already know the answer to. What do you like better, Tennis or paddle?
Ornella Beltramino:Paddle. That was easy.
Lola Caceres:Of course. Yeah. I mean, who wasn't? If you're on this show for a reason, you have to love Paddle more.
Ornella Beltramino:Exactly.
Lola Caceres:Well, thank you so much for joining us here today, and I want to wish you luck on everything in your Paddle career. I know you can be the number 1.
Ornella Beltramino:Thank you so much.
Lola Caceres:We are all things Paddle.