A long-awaited moment, finally experienced at home
This time, it’s the right time for Clément Geens. In Brussels, the Belgian No.1 finally unlocked his history with Brussels Premier Padel by signing, with Dylan Guichard, a precious first-round victory over Miguel Lamperti and Isaac Huysveld, 6/3 7/6.
Speaking to Cristel Joiris, Clément Geens begins by talking about the dominant feeling: relief. He’s not talking about a perfect match, or a demonstration, but about a moment he was able to experience better than in previous editions. The Belgian is clear about it: he has already played better, as has his partner, but this time they managed to stay in the right mental tempo, where this type of encounter can quickly derail a match plan.
In his analysis, Geens insists on one very clear point: Dylan Guichard especially helped him between the points. With his words, with his energy, with the way he kept him in the moment. Speaking to Cristel Joiris, Clément Geens describes this complementarity with great simplicity. The two players know each other well and appreciate each other off the court, and this was reflected in the way they dealt with dips, little doubts and moments when you just had to breathe, settle back and play again simply.
In Brussels, nothing is neutral for Geens. He’s playing at home, in front of his family and friends, and in front of an audience who expect something of Belgium’s best player. He’s experienced this pressure before. This time, he gave the impression of absorbing it better. Perhaps it was here, even more than in the quality of his smash or volley, that the real difference in his match lay.
Lamperti, respect and a big challenge ahead
The victory also took on a special dimension because it was achieved against Miguel Lamperti. Even at the age of 47, the Argentinian remains an outstanding figure on the world padel scene. As Clément Geens is quick to point out, he’s still impressed by the way he moves, reads the game and remains dangerous in conditions he didn’t consider to be very fast.
This success adds a new dimension to the Belgian evening. It also confirms that the partnership with Guichard can produce a coherent, calm padel capable of holding its own when the going gets tough. For all that, Geens is not getting carried away. The next round, against Stupa and Yanguas, is bound to be of a different level. On paper, the staircase is high. Geens himself acknowledges this. But he also reminds us that a padel match is still a match, and that with a full house and a real atmosphere, we’ll have to give it our all.
