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In the history of sport, every discipline has a master—a genius standing above the rest who embodies the sport internationally. While sometimes difficult to identify due to fierce competition, this is certainly not the case in padel, as the player we are talking about today has dominated his discipline entirely. A trailblazer, unbeatable, and now a mentor, here is the story of padel's GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), the Argentine Fernando Belasteguin.
The flying start of Fernando Belasteguin
Born in the small town of Pehuajó on 19 May 1979, in the province of Buenos Aires, Fernando Belasteguin took to padel quite quickly thanks to the construction of padel courts at his football club. Little by little, he left the green pitch behind for the little yellow ball and became one of the most promising young players in the region. Discovered at the age of 13 by the father of Mati Diaz, another pro padel player, he became a pro player at just 15 years old. Five years later and with numerous victories under his belt, he was proclaimed the best player in Argentina at only 20 years of age.
Fernando Belasteguin: confirming his place at the highest level
In 2002, he began his partnership with Juan Martin Diaz, forming the most dominant player pairing of all time. The pair reached world number 1 that year and held onto the throne for 13 consecutive years. Racking up victory after victory, they even remained unbeaten for 1 year and 9 consecutive months. Between September 2005 and June 2007, the duo did not lose a single match, winning 22 consecutive tournaments. An unprecedented feat that has never been repeated since. Alongside his Spanish-Argentine partner, Bela won 115 tournaments, which is naturally a record.
Fernando Belasteguin and his teammate Juan Martin Diaz
In 2015, after 13 years of a flawless partnership, "Bela" changed partners to team up with the Brazilian Pablo Lima, one of his many rivals for the top spot. With him, and despite his advanced age, he managed to retain his world number 1 ranking for another 3 years until 2018, when, mainly due to injury, the Argentine champion surrendered his world number 1 spot at the age of 39. 
Passing the torch for Bela
From that date onwards and for the 2019 season, Bela adjusted his sporting approach, aiming to pass on his immense knowledge of the game to younger players who will represent world padel in the years ahead. In short, a passing of the torch. That is why he took 20-year-old young Argentine Agustin Tapia under his wing. With him, results remained strong, including 3 tournament titles. But the goal was achieved: Tapia developed well, took off on his own in 2021, and quickly became one of the leading figures on the professional circuit. Next, it was Sanyo Gutiérrez's turn, another Argentine, to partner Bela and refine his game. Despite his advanced age, Sanyo also progressed, helping Fernando add 3 more tournament titles to his roll of honour.
In 2022, it was none other than the junior world champion, 19-year-old Spaniard Arturo Coello, that Bela chose as his partner. With a 23-year age gap, this atypical pair won 3 tournaments during the year and, above all, the hearts of the fans. Back alongside Sanyo this year, Bela is playing his 28th professional season and still offers a solid level of padel that keeps him in the top 10 every year.
Fernando Belasteguin: a key figure in the evolution of world padel
As mentioned above, Bela is entering his 28th professional padel season. Throughout all these years, he has witnessed and actively contributed to the evolution of the circuit. In his early days, it was impossible to make a living from padel: no sponsors, very low prize money… Passion for the sport came first. Then gradually, witnessing the tour's evolution and the sport's growing popularity, the circuit became professional and brands began taking an interest in the phenomenon. In 2005, the Pro Padel Tour was created, marking the beginning of a more structured organisation. With ranking points, a ranking system, and larger prize money, padel followed the model of tennis. In 2011, one of the circuit's biggest achievements at the time was sponsorship by sports betting company Bwin, which helped generate far more revenue, particularly for tournament winners.
In 2013, the circuit evolved to make way for the World Padel Tour (WPT) as we know it today. Highly comparable to the ATP tennis tour, it is not alone, however, unlike its older brother. Other organisations have emerged, such as the APT Tour, which became A1 Padel, or more recently Premier Padel, a circuit organised by Qatar and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. This competition benefits players, who can now enjoy significantly higher prize money. For more information, check out our article on the World Padel Tour.
Fernando Belasteguin has therefore witnessed this evolution first-hand. Whether in terms of structure or even equipment, everything changed between 1995 and 2023. "Padel has changed in 15, 20 years. It continues to grow: balls, courts, rackets. The equipment has evolved, whereas I started out with wooden rackets. Padel is also becoming more professional, with more and more money involved," he explains.
Fernando Belasteguin's honours and achievements
With so many years under his belt and such immense success, he is naturally the record holder for tournament victories, boasting no fewer than 163 finals won on the official circuit (since 2005) and 228 in total! With his 6 World Championship titles with Argentina, he is simply one of the most decorated sportsmen of all time.
A few stunning points from the GOAT that we never get tired of watching:
Wilson at the heart of success
The champions' racket!
For several years now, Wilson has been Bela's main partner, both for rackets and for clothing, shoes, and accessories. Alongside Roger Federer and Serena Williams, the American brand surrounds itself with the very best and hit the bullseye with Bela. Even better, a special range was created in collaboration with the Argentine champion. This year, 3 rackets were released with the Bela Team, the Bela Elite, and especially the Bela Pro, the racket used by the player in official matches. With its solid red design, Wilson stands out and offers a unique racket that will make your opponents envious.
With its diamond shape, the racket is built for power with a high balance on the face. The frame is made from Primero carbon, which increases the stiffness of the pala. However, its low density (3k) still allows you to maintain control over the ball. The foam used is a Hard Eva, a rather stiff foam that enhances the sensation of power. In the end, the Bela Pro is a power-oriented pala that doesn't forget to include some control, making the racket very enjoyable to play with.
Channel Bela right down to your toes!
Another innovation: Wilson is also making footwear. Brand new, the Bela Pro 2023 pair is already among the must-haves on the market. Reinforced in high-wear padel areas, it is durable and built to last. For the insole, Ortholite foam is used to provide extra support and shock absorption. Finally, the outsole is engineered to adapt to all surfaces, whether indoor or outdoor. It is THE pair you need to take your game to the next level!
The greatest padel player in history, Fernando Belasteguin has spanned eras and, at 43 years old, continues to amaze young and old alike on court. He has left an immense mark on the history of padel and remains one of the main reasons for the sport's growing popularity. His motto perfectly reflects his career: "A Belasteguin never gives up!".
H2: What is Fernando Belasteguin's place in the future of padel?
Playing his final matches in the professional world at the Milan P1 in December 2024, Belasteguin bows out at the age of 45. So, one might wonder, "what will become of Fernando Belasteguin?" We have the answer. He opened up in an interview with Diario Olé and announced a major post-career project:
«I am going to use my network to set up an academy for 20 or 30 young players who want to develop their professional career. I feel the need to do it to give a chance to other youngsters like me, who might not have had that opportunity at the start.»
A truly remarkable career where the Argentine legend won't be leaving his favourite sport anytime soon, ultimately putting his expertise to good use for the younger generation.
