GB international Louie Harris has vowed that 2023 will be his breakout year.
The Welshman is currently ranked 402 by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and 590 by the World Padel Tour, but he is determined to take his ranking inside the top 200 before the year is out.
Harris was a key part of the GB team who dramatically beat Germany in the World Championship European qualifiers at Derby in October to secure a place at the finals in Dubai.
After being drawn in the ‘Group of Death,’ which featured reigning world champions Spain, eventual semi-finalists Portugal and former quarter-finalists Uruguay, GB were to finish a disappointing 14th.
That did not stop the Cardiff-born player from impressing in the desert where his power play and surprisingly soft hands made him stand out in partnership with GB veteran Richard Brooks.
The 20-year-old is now preparing for a pre-season training camp at Madrid’s prestigious Diagonal Padel Academy, where he will work under Spanish legend Juanma Rodriguez and train alongside GB team-mate Sam Jones.
Harris said: “I think 2023 will be a massive year for padel in general but I’m really looking for it to be that breakout year for me in particular.
“I was ranked around 390 last time I looked and this year I want to dramatically improve that. My goal is to finish the year inside the 200.
“The Europeans and the European Games in June will be up later this year in terms of GB so I hope exciting times are ahead.
“Pre-season has started and training is intense! I am in Marbella training at my local club Alhambra del Golf. I’ll then go to Madrid at the Diagonal Padel Academy for three months with Sam.
“We went there a couple of weeks before the world champs and we were very happy with the training, it is a very good environment with a lot of top players. The coaching is great and they made us feel at home so we are very happy to be going back to Madrid.”
The 6ft 2” powerhouse is targeting tournaments on the FIP Rise and FIP Gold tours, with the WPT tournaments a secondary priority. While on the road, he will partner Jones at some – but not all – events.
“I’m sure Sam and I will play a few tournaments but I haven’t anyone I am tied down to for the whole year,” he said. “Playing with different styles is something that I hope will benefit and develop my game.”
Reflecting on the highs and lows of 2022, Harris has no doubt about his most memorable moments. He said: “Qualifying in Derby and beating Germany in that final match was just an amazing experience, then going to Dubai and playing against the best players in the world in a World Championship. They were by far the biggest and best moments of last year for me.
“It is a fantastic experience to play the best as you can see where you stand against them. Me and the other guys in the GB side just lack that bit of experience that these top guys have.
“In terms of training everyone can be dedicated and put 100% in, but when you get to the World Championships having that experience behind you when it really matters is vital.
“Against Spain I partnered Sam Jones against Alejandro Galan and Alex Ruiz, who are both world top-10 ranked. When you are on the opposite side of the net against these guys you see just why they are so good.
“They are just that bit sharper in every department, whether that is getting to the ball that one second faster, one mistake less per game, it is just that one little step in each department they are always ahead of you.
“There is also no relaxing, you have got to be on every ball and maintain that 100% intensity in every rally.”
There was one gut-wrenching low last year – when GB lost their decisive World Championship Group A fixture against Uruguay. Although they collected their first victory it was not enough to avoid a whitewash in a pool packed with the biggest sharks in padel.
Harris admitted: “I still get sleepless nights from that one [Uruguay] but that is competitive sport. It was just a tight, tight tie between us. We managed to win the last match but we couldn’t quite get the win earlier that we needed.
“Richard [Brooks] and I played against Diego Ramos who is a very experienced player and in these moments you can tell who has been there before. I think we know what will be needed next time.
“It is frustrating feeling that you are good enough to do it, but not quite getting it all out at the right moment. That is the type of thing I’m looking to change in 2023.”
