It’s 6 PM on a Wednesday afternoon at the Milano Premier Padel. Gianluca Vacchi is bouncing between the player lounge at Allianz Cloud and the VIP section. He’s restless, emotional, and focused. Vacchi is many things in life, but one of them is so close to his heart that it turns this evening into something primal. For Gianluca and Fernando Belasteguin, playing in the last tournament of Bela’s incredible career, are more than just friends. They’re brothers—not just in padel, but in life.
The match between Bela and Tino Libaak—a “father and son” team in career terms—against the Deus brothers feels like an endless breath-holding moment for Vacchi. Bela takes the first set, but the second one starts slipping away, with the score reaching a grim 1-4. Sitting in the VIP seats, Vacchi suffers and almost wants to leave. Little does he know that a comeback is brewing. Bela rallies, stringing together an impressive five-point streak to clinch a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
At that same 6 PM moment, Vacchi couldn’t have predicted that Bela would earn “uno mas” match against Garrido and Bergamini. Before the game, Vacchi shared his thoughts: “I’m really emotional”, he admitted, “and you’re right—I don’t just feel like a friend to Fernando; I feel like a paddle brother, even if I’m much younger than him in that sense”, he joked.
Their friendship began thanks to the International Padel Federation, where president Luigi Carraro sparked a bond that would grow into something like brotherhood. “The first time I met Bela? It was in Barcelona, and Luigi introduced us, convinced we’d hit it off. As always, he was spot on. When we met, Bela gave me an unforgettable padel lesson. From there, our friendship grew… ‘orthopedic’”, Vacchi laughs. “First, he had his tendon issues, but he still managed to play with me and Luigi. Then, later on, we met again in Sardinia, where we played despite me having a broken rib. Let’s say our friendship grew stronger thanks to our orthopedic adventures!”
From that point on, their bond became unbreakable. “We’ve shared so many good and bad moments, like during his injury recoveries. It’s a connection that grew deeper over time, making us not just paddle buddies, but friends united by values and much more”.
Bela’s Last Dance in Milan forces a necessary reflection: there was padel with Bela, and now there will be padel without Bela. “It’s true, the sport is losing a legend, but his legacy is enormous. Padel today is at an incredible level—not just thanks to him, but also due to many factors: new champions, good policies by the International Federation, and the fact that padel is a sport that brings people together. Still, Bela leaves behind an unforgettable legacy: lessons in tenacity, discipline, intelligence, and resilience. The game has changed a lot, but one thing remains constant—the mindset a player needs when stepping onto the court. In that, Fernando has been the greatest teacher. Without a doubt, he’ll be remembered as the greatest player of all time, not just because of his wins, but because of how he combined determination with class and talent”.
A few months ago, at the Rome Major, Vacchi surprised everyone by announcing that in 2025 he plans to partner with his paddle brother. At Allianz Cloud, he confirmed it again: “That hasn’t changed. We’re just debating who should play on the right and who on the left… but you’ll see us on the court together. I won’t give an inch next to my padel and tenacity mentor”, he added with a smile.
Finally, Vacchi reflected on how to immortalize Bela as a work of art that could inspire future generations. “If I had to compare him to something iconic, I’d think of tenacity, determination, and courage. Gladiators come to mind”. After a moment of thought, the comparison becomes clear: “No doubt about it, Bela is the Colosseum.”