The name Fernando “Bela” Belasteguín is synonymous with greatness in the world of padel. With an unprecedented 16 years as World No. 1, 230 career titles, and a reputation as the most dominant player in the sport’s history, Bela has inspired generations of padel players. Now, he’s turning his attention to something even bigger—the future of padel on a global scale.
In a special Padel Smash Academy interview, Cesc & Julian sit down with the GOAT of padel to discuss his storied career, the rapid growth of padel in the U.S., and his new leadership role in the Premier Padel League.
A Legacy Unlike Any Other in Padel
Bela’s journey in padel began in Pehuajó, Argentina, where he quickly rose through the ranks, turning professional at just 15 years old. By 22, he had already become the youngest World No. 1 in history—a title he would hold onto for over a decade and a half.
His partnership with Juan Martín Díaz is legendary, with the duo holding the record for the longest unbeaten streak in professional padel history—1 year and 9 months without a loss, winning 22 consecutive tournaments. Bela later teamed up with Pablo Lima, Agustín Tapia, Sanyo Gutiérrez, and Arturo Coello, continuing to dominate and shape the sport.
But after decades of competing at the highest level, Bela is now focusing on the next chapter—growing padel beyond its traditional markets and helping bring the sport to new audiences, particularly in the United States.
Padel’s Explosive Growth in the United States
For years, padel has been a European and Latin American powerhouse sport, but its expansion into the United States has recently accelerated. Courts are popping up in cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, and investors are taking notice.
During our conversation, Bela expressed his excitement about padel’s expansion in the U.S., emphasizing how the sport’s fast-paced, social nature makes it perfect for American audiences. With its lower barrier to entry compared to tennis and increasing accessibility, padel is poised to become the next breakout racquet sport in North America.
But what will take padel to the next level in the U.S.? Big events, professional leagues, and mainstream exposure.
Bela’s New Role in Premier Padel League & Miami’s First Major Event
As part of his new leadership role in the Premier Padel League, Bela is helping to lay the foundation for a true global professional padel circuit, with a major focus on expanding the sport in the U.S. The first-ever Premier Padel League event in Miami is set to be a historic milestone, bringing world-class padel competition to American soil.
According to Bela, this event is just the beginning. Miami is a crucial gateway for padel’s expansion—not only does it have a thriving Latino community familiar with the sport, but it also attracts top-tier investors, brands, and athletes from across the world. The success of this event could set the stage for future professional tournaments in North America, helping the sport grow at an even faster rate.
The Future of Padel: What’s Next?
Bela has always been a competitor, but now he’s taking on a new challenge—growing the sport and helping the next generation of padel players thrive. As he continues to build padel’s presence in the U.S. and beyond, his impact on the game extends far beyond the court.
With padel rapidly gaining traction, the Premier Padel League’s Miami event could be the spark that propels padel into mainstream American sports culture. And with Bela leading the way, the sport’s future has never looked brighter.
Watch the Full Interview!
Don’t miss this exclusive conversation with the GOAT of padel—watch the full interview on Padel Smash Academy’s YouTube channel, where Cesc & Julian dive deep into Bela’s career, insights, and vision for the sport’s future.
What do you think? Will padel take over in the U.S.? Will the Premier Padel League reshape the future of the sport? Drop your thoughts in the comments!