Padel is a special sport: between a selfie and an embrace, a unique bond can develop between players and fans. Serxhio, Saimir, Ardit and Arli know this well. The four Albanian friends are united by their passion for the sport. For them, having a tournament of the level of the FIP Platinum Albania in their city is already a dream, yet this week became even more special thanks to an unexpected conversation. On Tuesday, they approached Maxi Arce and Alex Arroyo during a training session and immediately established a strong connection. The Albanian fans were impressed by the openness and kindness shown by the two Padel stars.
“They are genuinely two wonderful people” explained Saimir. “Two days ago, after training, they stayed and spoke with us for an hour. It was a truly special moment: they are very humble people and deserve the very best”. After that encounter, the four Albanian friends came up with an idea: to create a flag in their honour. They produced it by printing photos of the two players alongside the colours and symbol of Albania, together with a message written in Spanish: “Maxi Arce y Alex Arroyo: Vamos Campeones”.
The gift was displayed for the first time yesterday in the stands of the Centre Court. Before the start of their idols’ round of 16 match against Javi Garrido and Lucas Bergamini, the four friends placed the creation in front of the players’ bench. Arroyo and Arce’s straight-sets victory (6-4 6-4) transformed the flag, originally created as a gesture of affection, into the Albanian lucky charm for the pair. At the end of the match, Arce immediately went to embrace his special supporters, loudly shouting “Vamos” before taking a courtside photo together with his team-mate, with everyone smiling and celebrating the result.
All four friends are Padel players themselves and were among the first Albanians to practise the sport. “We started five years ago. We are among the strongest players at our club in Tirana. There are still not many centres in our country, but the movement is growing rapidly. We are true fans: we have come to Skënderbeg Square every day”. As a result, they will once again be in the stands today to support Arce and Arroyo during their quarter-final, scheduled not before 19:00 against Alex Chozas and Tino Libaak on Centre Court. In addition, the two players made a promise to their supporters: at the end of the tournament, they will go for dinner together to celebrate their new friendship. And perhaps the next photo together could come on Saturday evening after the final, with the winners’ trophy. Serxhio, Saimir, Ardit and Arli certainly hope so. Arroyo and Arce do as well.