🎾 Vienna Padel Open 2022: David Alten/Christoph Krenn - Juan Díaz/Alejandro Arrojo

World Padel Tour Vienna - Austria:
David Alten / Christoph Krenn (AUT) - Juan Martín Díaz Martínez / Alejandro Arroyo Albert (ESP)
History was made on Wednesday at the Vienna Padel Open in the STEFFL Arena (June 5th to 12th):
Thanks to a wildcard, David Alten and Christoph Krenn became the first Austrian duo to play a main round match at a World Padel Tour tournament. The two Viennese performed impressively and thrilled the audience.
In front of well-filled stands - tennis ace Dominic Thiem also didn't miss the spectacle - in the STEFFL Arena, Alten/Krenn played the last game of the day on the Center Court. They faced the Spaniards Juan Martin Diaz and Alejandro Arroyo . In the end, Alten/Krenn had to admit defeat 1:6, 4:6, but were extremely satisfied with their performance.
Spaniards start furiously
The Austrians got off to a “cold start” and the first six points went to the Spaniards. It was only in the seventh rally that the first point was won, when the score was 0:5, the first and only game in the first set. In the second set, Alten/Krenn did better, kept up well from the start and kept it open for a long time. Finally, the greater quality of the Spaniards prevailed.
"It was a great evening! Thanks to all the fans who were here and supported us loudly. It was an incredible experience to be on this fantastic center court. At the beginning we were overwhelmed with the pace, but then it got better and better ", said Krenn, who would have liked to have played longer. “A third set would have been nice because we played really well in the game and played our serves safely.”
His partner David Alten saw it similarly: "We have been working towards a moment like this for the last eight years. We were often in Spain and financed a lot of things ourselves. We were rewarded with this match, it was unbelievably brilliant."
Diaz was No. 1 for 13 years
The duel was also special because Juan Martin Diaz is one of the biggest figures in padel sport. The 46-year-old Spaniard was number 1 in the world rankings for 13 years and won 170 tournaments. Together with the Argentinian Fernando Belasteguin, he dominated the sport for years. Diaz is now number 28 in the world. "He was always my great role model because he is also left-handed. We have trained with him several times, but being on the pitch with him in the main round is unforgettable. At least we were able to challenge him," beamed Alten.
The two Spaniards were also enthusiastic about the atmosphere. Diaz: "It's crazy what happened here. The arena is stunning, we feel very comfortable in Vienna. David and Christoph made life difficult for us, it was a good game. I'm always happy when international people have a chance of the tour."
For Alten/Krenn it was the first appearance in a main competition after several attempts at tournaments in Spain. However, it shouldn't stay that way: "We will continue to train, also with the other, up-and-coming Austrians. Hopefully the Vienna Padel Open will also take place in the next few years, then we hope for another chance. That definitely makes you want more."
Dominic Thiem was among the fans present. The Grand Slam champion is himself an enthusiastic padel player and supported Alten/Krenn from the stands.
World Padel Tour 2022
#Padel #Arrojo #Vienna
❤ I like Mani
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