Spain put its stamp on this thrilling first edition

It was a marathon day for France’s Louise Bahurel, who started the day playing Italy’s Francesca Ligotti/Giorgia Rosi, together with teammate Clara Mansart for the bronze medal match, before playing for the mixed doubles title in the afternoon alongside Nathan Courrin. It was a tight and spectacular game and the French won the very first FISU World University Championship Padel medal with a tight 6-4 7-6.

The gold medal game was as thrilling as they get, with two Spanish pairs who live and laugh together, but who become fierce opponents on either side of the net.

The match opposed favourites Laura Lujan Rodriguez – who is ranked 44th in the world – and Agueda Pérez Ortiz, a pair that doesn’t usually play together to Ana Dominguez Gracia/ Ana Cristina Sánchez Pérez.

If the game ended 6-2 6-2 for the favourites, it was much tighter than it appears. It could also have ended tragically as Laura Lujan Rodriguez, fierce as a lioness on the court fell over the net trying to touch the ball. She hurt her back and right knee but got up to everyone’s relief and was all smiles only a few minutes later.

“It was our very first time playing together and it felt great” said Laura Lujan (left) exciting the court. “I was scared when I hit the ground but in the end I am fine and really proud!”

“We are so happy to have won this very first title, added Agueda Pérez. “We made history!”

The bronze medal game was a 100% Spanish affair, with Alejandro Jerez/Ferrán Gónzalez taking on Alejandro Prados/Eneko Arija. The game was tight, the smashes super powerful and hydration was really important in a really heated venue.

In the end, the first pair managed to make a difference and win their place on the podium 6-3 6-4.

One thing was sure on Saturday afternoon: the first university padel kings were going to be Italian. On the court, in blue, Noa Bonnefoy/Michele Brambilla took on friends and teammates Simone Iacovino/Matteo Platania in white.

The highest ranked of the four, Simone Iacovino (159 in the world) and his partner got off on a great start, taking the first set 6-4.

But super-motivated Bonnefoy/Brambilla managed to turn things around and get the gold in three sets 4-6 6-3 6-4!

“I am super super happy”, smiled Michele Brambilla. “This was a fantastic tournament with a great final against good friends of ours. Italy wins both gold and silver: forza Italia!”

The mixed doubles wasn’t only a first time at a FISU World University Championship, but in the world of padel.

And this new format was once again an affair between Spaniards and French, but this time the Dutch pair, Puck Bernard/Thomas Panken was also in the run for a medal. But they met a much stronger pair in Valeria Atencia/Alvaro Sola who took the bronze 6-1 6-4.

The final for gold was not as tight as everyone would have hoped. Probably because playing both in the mens and women’s doubles on top of the mixed competition can be too much, especially in very hot conditions.

So France’s Louise Bahurel/Nathan Courrin (here against the future bronze medallists) didn’t manage to offer enough resistance to Spain’s Marisol Fernandez/Arnau Candelo.

It was lovely to see Marisol Fernandez take the oath for all student-athletes during the opening ceremony finish the competition with the last gold of the tournament, 6-1 6-4.

“This was very nice”, said the new gold medallist. “I think this was our best match throughout the tournament. I wasn’t 100% confident as they are very good opponents. But we were so ready to play this final and win a medal at home in this fantastic tournament!”