Marta Barrera de la Fuente. Professional paddle tennis player. “At the beginning I played to have fun, rather than to win”

-What conquered you from paddle tennis?

–I started playing with my father, in an urbanization. He was the one who got me hooked. As a result of that I got on the court and, although they didn’t let me play much, one day after another I would go, play with the wall, with them, and I had a great time. I used to swim before, but I didn’t like it at all. I loved paddle tennis. So I started at a school with Javi Plaza at Activa Club and then I went to Way Padel Academy, with Manolo Jaén, both in Jerez. The latter is where I have been for the last five years. I went to tournaments to have a good time, I didn’t care about winning or losing. Two years ago a colleague suggested that I already play tournaments on the World Padel Tour. At first it was complicated because I had to combine it with my high school studies. Little by little I went to all the tournaments until today, when I am in Valladolid, where I am going to come to live.

Why Valladolid?

–There aren’t as many players as can happen in Madrid, but the ones there are are very good. And because the communications to move to other tournaments are good. Here I am in a school, Vegasport, with Gustavo Pratto, where I have everything. Right now I am going to dedicate a year only to paddle tennis and next year I will do a race online to have a plan b.

-At your age, can you live on paddle tennis?

-For now yes. Not much, but it gives you to live. it compensates you. When you start, you do lose, as in all sports, but now it does make up for it.

– Is it easy to attract sponsorships?

–No, it is very difficult, and more so in women’s sports. If you are not in the top 5 or 10… Right now I have two, which is more of a help than a sponsorship.

–She is 39 in the world ranking. She did not imagine it when she was 12 years old and played in the urbanization.

-Yes Yes. A year ago she was one hundred something, so she’s happy. I am progressing fast. Every round you have to pass is very tough. I didn’t imagine getting to the final stage, where we are now. A privilege, really.

–Is there a lot of inequality between male and female paddle tennis?

–Compared to other years, it is true that it is much more even, but with the issue of prizes and sponsorships, there is inequality. It is also true that women’s sport has grown a lot in recent years. In women’s padel, as the ball is kept more and it can be seen much easier, people are liking it more. The masculine lasts two points and little more.

–The reality is that there is also a lot of fans for this sport.

–Yes, there are a lot of fans and people have a great time.

-What values ​​would you highlight from paddle tennis?

Now that I’m away from home, I appreciate what I have more. And the sacrifice and mental maturity that it brings you. You live things that other people don’t.

What are your goals right now?

–Well, improve much more, above all, on a mental level, something that is quite noticeable when you are a professional because nobody relaxes or lowers their arms. I have to mature a bit in that aspect. And physically too, of course. I want to reach the top.

–Nasser El Khelaifi, president of PSG, has created Premier Padel, a world circuit with unusual prizes in which women can now play.

–Yes, we have joined this year and we are going to start in Rome, in July. Not last year, they started only with the boys.

-How do you see the Andalusian paddle tennis?

–There is a high level, but it is true that people have to go abroad. You have to play infinite tournaments to climb the ranking and thus get aid and scholarships. It does not give you material time to play the entire calendar. That doesn’t help us much. And, also, living where there are no great communications, since it takes you a long time to go from one place to another.

–Family support will have been crucial in this race.

-Yeah. My parents have always supported me, ever since I told them I wanted to play paddle tennis, although at first it was more difficult for them, of course. But then not anymore.

– What references do you have?

–Ari Sánchez, as a person… I think he instills many values. Also Alejandra Salazar, who as the years have passed she has never given up, even when she was injured.

How do you see yourself in 20 years?

–Well… Hopefully I reach the top, be number 1 in the world ranking. But, above all, that she feels satisfied with everything I’ve done.

A passionate with very clear ideas

Born in Cádiz in 2004, but raised in Jerez, she began her career in the world of sports with swimming, which she later changed to paddle tennis. She currently resides in Valladolid, where she will dedicate herself exclusively to paddle tennis for a year, before choosing between careers online of Psychology, Nutrition or Marketing and Advertising, although I wish it would be to do INEF, but it is face-to-face. Marta has a younger brother, who is also passionate about paddle tennis and a true fan of her sister. She likes music and spending time with her friends and family.