It has been a while since my last post. Seems like months in the world of padel fly by like days… Or maybe it feels like that because I just recently got employed and I’m swamped with padel fun that desperately needs to be managed. #toughjob
It’s February or shall we call it Feverary — the official month of sniffles, coughs and fevers in Sweden. It’s no wonder since all the Christmas decorations have been packed away for some time and the excitement of starting our New Year’s Resolutions has faded. Now, we are just stuck in cold darkness that will last for at least three more months until any sort of Spring vibe arrives. Luckily, for me there are tons of tiny little balls of yellow sunshine waiting for me at the club everyday.
Speaking of the club, there’s a lot of heat going on with the club league. We just added a ninth division. There are teams on the waiting list eagerly wanting to get a piece of the action, teams fighting their way up division by division, others struggling to stay at the top, teams using reserves that are maybe “too” good, teams refusing to reschedule unplayed matches. It’s quite the drama. Maybe when padel makes its real media breakthrough, we could make a reality show about it… One topic that I have been hearing about lately is one regarding partners:
My partner doesn’t support me.
My partner freezes up under pressure.
My partner never practices.
My partner can’t finish the point.
My partner doesn’t move the same way I do.
My partner does this, my partner does that…
Unfortunately, there seems to be more complaints rather than compliments. I guess it’s natural. If things work, there’s no need say anything. Or is there? Whether it’s natural or not, the positive things should also be noted. In the past six months, I’ve played with a number of partners — 7 to be exact. It, of course, takes getting used to a new partner. There are always issues of chemistry, communication, mindset and movement patterns, but I’ve always been an adaptable person and have enjoyed the dynamics of the past half year with all the different partners — husband Dan, daughter Alexandra, national teammates Mari, Anna, Sofia, Ebba, Åsa and friend from Nice Kristina. Here’s a list of things, in no particular order, that I love about my most recent partners.
My partner nails the bandeja in the side fence every time.
My partner has the happiest feet I’ve ever seen #fast
My partner has a fighter spirit like no other.
My partner can take a beating #trooper
My partner makes sure to think through every point.
My partner can just step in and BOOM #saynomore
My partner gives me positive energy no matter what.
My partner moves with me #flow.
What do you love about your partner?
Now, all tournament schedules are released and it is prime time for planning the year’s competitions and travels, and not to mention pre-season training. So what am I doing here sitting on my *ss?!
Talk to you later!
Antonette
First time to team up with daughter Alexandra at the SPT in Gävle.
Swedish Championships in Halmstad with Ebba Stedt #silver
Fought with Anna Svedenhov in a nerve-racking three-set loss against Italy at the Euro Championships in Cascais, Portugal
Open tournament at Euro Championships with Mari Andersson
Beat French team with Sofia Arvidsson at the Euro Championships #inthezone
Reached the semifinals at FIP tournament in Rijswijk, Holland with Kristina Clement
Holiday padel with league and life partner Dan
First sanctioned tournament of the year in Halmstad with Åsa Eriksson #gold
