TPD Meets: Fernando Belasteguín at Bela Padel Center, Barcelona

Some names in padel need no introduction, and Fernando Belasteguín is one of them. We travelled to Barcelona to sit down with him at his new club, Bela Padel Center, to talk about a career that shaped the sport, life after retirement, and what he's building next.

Sixteen Years at the Top

Belasteguín held the world number one ranking for sixteen consecutive years, from 2002 to 2017, becoming the youngest player ever to reach the top spot at just 22. Across his career he won 230 titles from 286 finals, and took the World Championship six times, in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2014, 2016 and 2022. His partnership with Juan Martín Díaz between 2002 and 2014 produced 156 titles from 176 finals, one of the most dominant pairings the sport has seen. He officially retired in 2024 after close to thirty years as a professional.

Life After the Tour

Stepping away from competition after three decades is rarely simple, and Belasteguín has spent the time since retirement building rather than stepping back from the sport.

Inside Bela Padel Center Barcelona

Bela Padel Center Barcelona opened in September 2025 as his second venue, following the original Bela Padel Center in Alicante in 2020. The Barcelona site has 20 courts, 11 outdoor and 9 indoor, with synthetic grass and glass walls, alongside a gym, pro shop and Casa Bela restaurant. It runs on a pay-as-you-play model rather than requiring membership, and includes an academy for junior and senior players.

What This Means for UK Players

Barcelona has become one of the more established stops for UK players travelling for padel, and a venue built by a player of Belasteguín's record adds another reason to make the trip.

About Our Guest: Fernando Belasteguín

Fernando Belasteguín is an Argentine-Spanish padel player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport's history, having held the world number one ranking for sixteen consecutive years before retiring in 2024. He now runs Bela Padel Center, with venues in Alicante and Barcelona.

What's Next

Bela Padel Center Barcelona adds another significant venue to the city's growing padel scene, and marks a new chapter for one of the sport's most decorated names.

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