Libby Fletcher has admitted that she is on tenterhooks as she waits to find out if she will make the GB Ladies team for this evening’s must win clash with Austria at We Are Padel Derby.
Alvaro Guerrero’s side got off to a fine start in Group B last night after they defeated Lithuania 3-0 but Fletcher, who sat out the action, knows that the Austrians will be a far tougher proposition.
The Tennis World Middlesbrough ace, who also represents the Team GB Veterans side, has been devouring the action over a weekend off the highest-quality padel action and is desperate to get the nod when Guerrero make’s his selection call in roughly an hour.
Libby said: “I’d be delighted to get selected for the team against Lithuania, I was really happy to make the squad but for me to make this evening’s team would be a real achievement as I have just been playing padel for a couple of years.
“We know that the Austrians will be every bit as determined as us to get the win and to progress to the semi-finals and there is so much riding on this and these are the type of matches you want to be involved in, so my fingers are crossed!”
When it comes to the venue the GB international admits that We Are Padel Derby has provided the perfect stage for the biggest padel event ever held on these shores: “The fact that we have 11 indoor courts is tremendous and the atmosphere is fantastic.
“I took in the Portugal versus Sweden in a Group D match last night and it was just immense and the atmosphere was electric.
“The quality of the courts and how close the fans and support teams are to the action just gives a whole different level of atmosphere and last night this place really rocked.”
Fletcher also had interesting observations to make between the men’s and women’s games and the veterans and open categories and she said: “Obviously you can see the difference between the men’s and the women’s game with the men’s being very much power padel and the women’s more about precision and a lot more tactical.
“I am thrilled to be picked for the open team as I am heavily involved with the seniors team and what is interesting from the weekend has been how the standards of the countries is getting a lot closer together in the open event.
“By contrast I think there is more of a void between the top countries in the seniors and the chasing pack.”
When it comes to the GB coaching team who are masterminding the bid to make Dubai, Fletcher has no doubt that the ladies are in safe hands: “When it comes to our coaching staff well they both bring different things to the team.
“Alvaro is an experienced Spanish padel player and he brings the tactical side of things and the nous while Max is a bit of a calming influence and someone the girls can turn to if they need anything really.
“That provides a very nice balance to things and we had an excellent final practise session this morning, so we are good to go.”
