The Unbelievable Path from College Tennis to Padel Rising Stars

Julian and Cesc sit down with collegiate tennis players turned Padel players & enthusiasts, David Ayguavives and Sergio Conde, for an exclusive interview that dives deep into their remarkable journey from the tennis courts to the Padel courts. Discover how their passion for Padel not only changed their athletic trajectories but also ignited a newfound love for a sport that's taking the world by storm.

David and Sergio share their personal stories, detailing the challenges and triumphs they faced as they transitioned from being competitive tennis players to embracing Padel as their primary sport. This episode is packed with insights on Padel training tips, techniques, and strategies that helped them excel in their new arena. The duo also sheds light on the advantages of Padel over tennis, offering a unique perspective that's both inspiring and enlightening for anyone considering a career change in sports.

Whether you're a seasoned Padel player, a tennis enthusiast curious about making the switch, or simply someone who loves sports stories of passion and perseverance, this episode is for you. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of Padel through the experiences of David Ayguavives and Sergio Conde, and learn why Padel is more than just a game—it's a journey, a community, and a way of life. Don't miss this deep dive into the heart of Padel, where every smash, every strategy, and every story is about pushing the limits and embracing the sport with open arms.

Follow David: https://www.instagram.com/davidaygua_/
Follow Sergio: https://www.instagram.com/sergiocondea/

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Hello everyone.

Welcome to another exciting
episode of Padel Smash Academy.

Today, we're having two of the most
incredible, amazing, upcoming super

Padel start and incredible Padel
players, David Ayguavives and Sergio Conde.

Please welcome to the channel guys.

Um, we're so excited to have you here.

Tell us about, uh, David, tell us
about who you are, where you're coming

from, Padel, your Padel history.

Well, so I'm David, I'm from Spain,
Barcelona, Spain, and, um, I've been

playing tennis all my life, pretty
much, and I moved to, to the U.

S.

five years ago to play college,
and I played Padel also in

Spain, like, always as a hobby.

And now I'm here in Miami.

I'm trying to play as much as possible,
trying to compete and trying to grow

in this sport because I think there is
a great opportunity here in America.

And yeah, hopefully I can keep
playing as much as possible and

and keep growing in this sport.

So when did you transition
from tennis to Padel and why?

And was that here or?

So it wasn't during COVID.

Because we had like a year where we
were able to go back home and there

I could play pretty much every day.

So I started playing regularly, regularly
and like four or five times per week.

And that's how I started, like, playing
often and starting understanding

the game, the walls, everything.

How about you, Sergio?

Why don't you tell us a
little bit about yourself?

Well, first, thanks for inviting us here.

I'm from Tenerife, and my dad
has always played Padel there.

So, I mean, I played tennis since the
club had both tennis and padel, so my

dad was with padel, I was with tennis.

But I always had that accessibility
to padel courts, rackets, so since

10, 12 years old I started playing.

And then, when I was 15, 16, I started
playing more tournaments in the island.

But it was always hard for me
to find good matches to play and

good, uh, persons to pair up with.

And then when I came here, I just was not
able to play anymore because I'm in Ohio.

So, where do you go to school?

I go to Northwestern Ohio.

I went with him.

And you guys both play tennis there?

Yeah.

Alright, big question.

Who was better?

What position did you guys play?

So he played one and I played five.

Good.

Good.

That's good.

That's why he be, you become,
he became your friend.

He wanted to be with you, . Yes.

And roommates as well.

Yeah, we actually played
once and he beat me good.

Twice.

Twice.

Wow.

It's like me.

We played a couple times and
I be him twice and that's it.

You don't get about man,
and he calls himself a coach

So, I mean, tell us So you're a coach?

Yeah, right now I'm coaching.

Okay.

Tell us where you coach and, and
how do you like it and all that.

So, it's really, I really like
it because, um, I feel like I can

teach to the people that is, um,
starting to, uh, play this sport.

Um, I can teach the basics.

Introducing the sport of Padel to them.

Introducing Padel, um, the transition
from tennis to Padel because most

of the players are actually coming
from tennis, from pickleball.

So, yeah, I mean, I think it's, it's great
to have all these different sports that

they, they help each other and hopefully
we can keep growing with Padel even more.

That was my next question is, um, you guys
have been playing, um, I mean, for the

last couple of years since COVID, right?

So how's that transition?

Have you guys completed that transition
of playing tennis in the Padel,

Padel court or now playing Padel
in the Padel court or are you

still transitioning a little bit?

So for me.

Um, there's every person has different
opinions, but for me, I played

tennis all my life and I was already
tired of competing and everything.

I was already like a
frustrated tennis player.

So when I started playing
Padel, I really found it more

enjoyable, more fun, more dynamic.

And I feel like I can play Padel like.

So you've transitioned 100%, meaning the
back walls, the aerial shots, all that.

How about yourself, Sergio?

Yeah, I mean, for me, it's always,
I mean, I don't play very often,

padel, maybe three times a year.

Because you're in Ohio, right?

Yeah, and I go to Spain just
like a few weeks every year.

So, but the transition is always,
yeah, when I step on the padel court.

Play a few games and then I get into
the still still volley the ball at the

baseline and still smashing everything
So because the tennis is in your mind or

have you already or your transition to
that where you're using the back walls?

And you're doing the aerial shots
So how hard is that because you

guys still play tennis and pedal?

So how hard is that switching over
does it take a little bit just

to adjust when you play tennis?

Same thing with Padel, or?

No, for me, I mean, you step on
the tennis court, you know, it's

tennis, and I step on the Padel.

It's the youth.

It's the youth, baby.

Definitely it's the youth, I
mean, the transition sometimes

is very, very difficult.

I mean, there's always some things
that you have some, like the overheads,

the first overheads, or, I don't
know, those volleys from the baseline.

Sometimes it's normal when you come
from the tennis court, but once

you What he said, once you step
on the court, um, you're ready.

Yeah, but you guys coming from Spain,
I mean, the first thing, as soon as

you're born, they give you a soccer
ball and a racket, Padel, racket.

I mean, that's pretty much what you get.

Your first two toys is a soccer
ball and a racket, Padel.

Yeah.

So, everybody talks about Padel.

So, so, so Sergio, uh, later, I mean,
tell us your, your finishing college.

Are you planning to go back to Spain?

Are you planning to stay here?

Are you planning to?

Take Padel more seriously.

I want to stay here working as much as I
can And I want to I want to play Padel

because I I'm curious like what level
can I get at because I've never Been in

an environment or practicing to be to be
good at Padel just to have fun and do So

I want to take a little more time into it
and hopefully I have I can be somewhere

where I can, I can explode and play more.

You know, what I love about these
two guys is that they came here

with the American tennis dream.

And they became the American Padel dream.

That's what I love.

I mean, you know, we need more
people like you guys to promote the

sport and to make it happen here.

I love ex tennis players.

They make great Padel players.

So actually, if you, if you stay in
Spain studying, you can't, like you

can, but it's really hard to, um, to
do both tennis and study, you know?

Because it's much more
demanding the study.

Yeah, much more demanding.

So that's why, I mean, for me,
it was, I wanted to keep playing

tennis and I also wanted to have
a good career in, in my field.

So that's why I decided to come here.

And do you see you guys self doing,
you become what we call in the term is

you're a lifer, meaning a Padel lifer.

Like you want to do this 100%, you
want to make a living out of this.

Or you're doing this more as
a transition into something

better or bigger or different?

So, as he said, uh, it would
be nice to, to try, like, to

improve and practice every day.

So Joe, you want to become a
professional Padel player?

It would be a good opportunity,
like, would be at least to try.

Nice.

But, for sure, I'm going to keep
playing during my entire life.

At least for fun, or
How about you, Sergio?

Uh, for me, like I told you, I'm
curious to see where can I get it.

Because I've always, I've been told
and I know I have to I want to see,

maybe not now, but in the future,
for sure, I will try for some years

to try to get to my best level.

So now do you play the left or the drive?

With him I have to play on the right,
but I usually play on the left.

I like both sides.

So you're on the left then?

Yeah, I've always been, I don't mind
it, I feel more comfortable on the

left, but I've always been told,
yeah, you need to play on the left.

Let me tell you, um, um, I mean, it's
true, you know, uh, Sergio, he's been

called, um, you, you guys know that
the king of pop is Michael Jackson, but

Sergio has been called the king of the by
three or the portraits the way he does it

when he gets that kick nice and smooth.

And he, that ball goes slowly by three.

It's just a beautiful thing.

It's a masterpiece.

It's a work of art and um David on on
his he's been called also I mean as we

know the king of rock and roll itself
is presley But he's been called the

king of the bandeja his bandeja on the
right side is is the most beautiful

bandeja You ever seen in your life
two masterpieces watching these two

guys play outstanding super beautiful.

I highly recommend it Do you guys
see yourself playing in the ppl?

Eventually, I mean I would like
to honestly, it's, it looks really

fun and it's a great experience.

I think I'll be applying
for the draft for this year.

I have, I haven't, I haven't come on, man.

It's time.

I see the potential there.

If you need a manager
sponsors, we got to right here.

Yeah, it would be nice.

So I think you guys talked about
coaching ice coach, correct?

I do.

Oh, you do.

Okay.

And where do you coach?

At ULTRA.

ULTRA.

Okay, great.

So if you guys want to coach, you
can go to ULTRA and reach out to him.

Yes, please, we're going to give you
the information, Instagram and all that.

So, so David, let me ask one thing.

Out of all the students that you
have, what would you say is the

percentage that they are like
beginners or beginners, intermediate?

I mean, it's a So for me,
since I'm a new coach.

They usually give me more the beginner.

So I would say probably like
70%, 60, 70 percent is beginners.

And then.

Intermediates.

So as a coach, how do you deal
with like, um, beginners when their

biomechanics is really off the grip
and is really off and they just, you

know, never played a record sport.

So how do you teach that?

Because I'm not teaching the basic
shots is one thing, but then Trying to

teach biomechanics, rhythm, timing, you
know, and saying how to hold the Padel.

That's kind of tough and sometimes
people just want to play.

So that's actually a struggle,
but I mean, ever since I started

coaching tennis and Padel, you can
see with every player, there is some

people that they already have it.

And there's also other people
that unfortunately they,

they struggle more, but.

They, they learn pretty quick.

Um, I also try to push them a little
bit more than what they can do.

But, um, overall it's, it's,
I think it's an easy sport.

And most of the people actually
come from, uh, either playing

tennis, uh, uh, pickleball, squash.

And with those that haven't
played, it's a little bit, um,

harder to explain them everything.

Once, uh, it takes a little time,
but once they, they understand the

game, it's, it's, it's really simple.

Padel is really simple.

Right.

Yeah.

I think it is.

Yeah.

And for someone, what do you
think is easier to teach someone

to a beginner completely, right?

What do you think is easier to
teach someone a complete beginner

to play tennis or to play Padel?

Hmm.

That's a good question.

Uh, maybe tennis, I would say.

Because there's like the court is bigger
and there's no walls that the walls

can actually make people freak out.

But I would say tennis, since maybe racket
is bigger, court is bigger, easier to hit.

But both, both are equal, I would say.

And Sergio, do you have
any coaching experience?

I do coach a lot of tennis, and I have
coached Padel, like, back home a few

years back, but just, maybe they need
someone to cover or something, so I've

done a few Padel lessons as well.

Do you see yourself
doing that in the future?

Yes, yes, but, um, if I'm here,
no, if I'm here, I Padel mostly

for developing my game and playing.

And maybe teaching, I see it more
in tennis that I'm much more, more

experienced, I know more about the game.

One of the issues that, uh, that, uh,
and I mentioned it to you guys yesterday,

one of the issues that we have here
in the United States, there are every

day, there are more and more Padel
courts and we don't have enough coaches.

So having you guys in the coaching
world Padel, I mean, that will be

a very, very, uh, good opportunity
for you guys and, and for make Padel

growth here in the United States.

Let's, let's do our, our,
uh, top 12 questions, right?

The top 12 questions.

Favorite racket?

Wilson Bella.

Pro elite?

Elite.

Elite.

Favorite racket?

Uh, the Bull Padel, uh,
Paquito Navarro's model.

There you go.

I love it.

Act three, act three,
act three, act three.

All right, uh, favorite shoe brand?

Asics.

Favorite shoe brand?

Um, I would say Nike.

Alright, favorite player.

Padel player.

Juan Lebron.

Favorite Padel player.

Paquito Navarro.

Good.

Golden point.

You take it or you give it.

Depends on who's, like, if the opponent
is serving and he's doing Australian.

For example, that's why I usually think if
the opponent is coming from the opposite

side, then he's going to cover this side.

Um, probably the one who has
the, like, down the line, open.

You see, he's a good coach.

Yeah, strategy.

He does a lot of strategy.

I love that.

Very interesting.

Good.

Golden point.

You take it or you give it?

I usually take it.

Yeah.

Ah.

He made me pay yesterday.

He has that back and like, boom!

There he is.

Oh my God.

Yeah, yesterday he won the first one,
so I told him, you take the next one.

He won the next one, so all
the time, if he wins it.

All right.

Good.

So what's your, what's your worst shot?

My worst shot?

Um, I would say off the glass, like
off the both glasses in the corner.

That's really hard.

Your worst shot Sergio?

Yeah, probably lob off the corner.

Corner, yeah, that's a tough one.

Uh, grip on your racket or no grip?

Grip.

Grip, yeah.

Favorite trick shot?

Trick shot, um, La Dormilona.

Ah, La Dormilona.

Yesterday he made me sleep.

La Dormilona, yesterday
he did a few of those.

How about you Sergio?

Uh, probably a drop shot
that goes out the door.

Oh, por la puerta, huh?

Drop shot out the door.

I saw that only on videos, man.

That's not my video.

Yeah, it was your video.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.

Yeah, because you can't do it.

What do you prefer, tennis or Padel?

Uh, I have to say I have
more fun with Padel, so.

Padel.

Good.

What do you prefer?

Padel or tennis?

Padel.

All right.

Okay.

So, who's your favorite
partner when you play Padel?

Um, my favorite partner, um, I
don't have many, but Come on.

He's right next to you.

What are you talking about?

Bro, you gotta say It's
the first time we played.

Yesterday was the first time we played.

All right.

Okay.

We'll ask again.

Be honest.

Be honest.

Yeah.

Who's your favorite Padel, uh, partner?

All right.

Um, his name is Max Salvador.

He's a friend from back home.

Sergio, who is your favorite partner?

I have to go from, uh, Mehdi, his
name is Mehdi, he's been my friend

since we were five years old and
we started playing tournaments

together when we were young, so.

So you guys are playing a tournament
together but you're very unfaithful

to each other, so you give all your
love, Padel love, to someone else.

I love that.

It's a one night stand Padel game.

It's an open partnership.

Open partnership.

Open partnership.

Friends with benefits.

All right, guys, man, I want to
thank you for coming to Padel Smash

Academy and I wish you all the luck.

Yes, we'll be watching you.

So thank you, guys.

All the best.

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