British No.2 Sam Jones ‘ready to go’ ahead of the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8 in Cadiz
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Sam Jones is about to step into the heat of the La Linea de la Concepcion bullring and face Europe's best padel players — but the British no.2 is taking a relaxed approach to preparations.
Jones is part of a 16-strong Great Britain squad heading to the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8 in Cadiz from 21-25 October. The men's and women's teams both sealed their berths in the climatic stage of the competition by topping their groups at the qualification event in Madrid back in July.
Since that joyous Sunday afternoon in the Spanish capital, British No.2 Jones has played only one FIP tour competition, choosing to refresh mind and body ready to face Europe's elite in the Final 8.
"This break will help me," said the 26-year-old. "I will feel fresh and ready to go for Cadiz. A little bit of time away from the sport makes me eager to come back, whereas if you never stop it can start to affect your enjoyment.
"The whole year was leading up to those Euro qualifiers and it was really intense, so afterwards I took a step back from competing, having done it pretty solidly for seven or eight years.
"You don't realise until you take time off how tired you are. There's so much you have to figure out by yourself when you're on the FIP tour. It's not just competing, it's everything before and after you go on court.
"It can get mentally draining. Some players enjoy the time out, some need to keep active. I'm definitely more the first type of person."
A niggling plantar fasciitis injury and late withdrawal from a couple of tournaments due to his partner picking up an illness added to Jones' rest period. But he is now ready to hit the accelerator again with the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8 fast approaching.
Top seeds Spain, Italy, Portugal and France will be joined by GB's fellow qualifiers Netherlands, Sweden and Germany in the men's competition.
The format is two groups of four, with the top two advancing to semi-finals and the bottom two in each group heading home. GB are seeded seventh. The draw will be made on 20 October, the evening before the first ball is struck.
Overall, the aim is to enjoy it and try our best. There's no pressure on us in this tournament.
"Obviously it'll be very difficult against Spain, Italy or Portugal, but if we draw the Netherlands, Germany or even France, who might be hindered by injury, we will get chances," said Jones.
"As always, it depends on the draw we get. But let's try to win the matches that we know are winnable. Overall, the aim is to enjoy it and try our best. There's no pressure on us in this tournament as we go in as underdogs."
At the FIP Euro Padel Cup qualifiers in Madrid, Jones played alongside British No.1 Christian Medina Murphy in all three matches against Greece, Switzerland and Monaco as the men's side sailed through unbeaten.
"I learn so much from Christian — it's great to have him next to me in the big moments," said Jones. "We were together in the first World Juniors in 2015 and since then, we've always got on really well.
"We're different people in terms of our mindsets. He is super professional and focused and I'm a bit more relaxed and chilled about the whole situation, so I think that's why we work well together."
After making his comeback to competitive action in the FIP Silver R3 Bullpadel Cup from 6-12 October, Jones will head out early to Cadiz to acclimatise and prepare for the huge FIP Euro Padel Cup campaign.
He feels early preparation was one of the key elements to Great Britain's emphatic triumph in the qualifiers.
"That week we had to build up to the tournament in Madrid was just perfect," he stated. "It really helped us get used to the speed and bounce of the ball. You don't realise how much of a difference it makes.
"Training with people like Alex [Loughlan] and Louie [Harris], who have two of the biggest smashes in the whole tournament, helps you get used to the conditions pretty quickly. Nothing but a perfect lob will beat those guys! Hitting those balls together, making plans and getting that feeling between us was so useful."
GB men's coaches Sandy Farquharson and John Leach have selected the same eight-man squad from Madrid, so Murphy, Jones, Loughlan and Harris will be joined by Nikhil Mohindra and three players who made their international debuts last time out, Jamie Lobo, Tom Farquharson and Alfonso Patacho.
