For over 30 years, Fernando Belasteguín’s name has been synonymous with padel’s elite. At 45 years old, the Argentine player, who has dominated the sport for decades, has just retired after an illustrious career. It was his relentless pursuit of greatness that made him a perfect match for Richard Mille, the luxury watchmaker known for pushing the boundaries of horology.
The partnership between Fernando and Richard Mille was born out of a shared ethos – a relentless passion for performance and a dedication to family. “I was really surprised to learn that, behind Richard Mille, there is a real family,” Fernando says. “That human side is what I truly value.”
For Fernando, as he is affectionately known in the padel world, Richard Mille watches are more than just accessories – they are an extension of his competitive mindset. “I identify with the brand because they always want to be the best. They are hard workers, just like I am,” he explains.
Fernando actually has a personal connection to the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal watch, making the collaboration even more meaningful. “I identify a lot with Rafa Nadal,” he says. “He’s my favourite athlete. Then, they showed me the watch in blue, the colour of Argentina’s flag – that’s where the connection became even stronger.” Beyond aesthetics, the watch’s smart design also catered to his physical needs as a top athlete. “It’s super comfortable – it doesn’t weigh anything. When I play, I don’t even notice it’s on my wrist,” he adds.
As someone who has seen the sport evolve first-hand, Fernando is always thinking about what comes next. “It would be incredible to create a padel racket with the same lightweight technology as is used in Richard Mille watches, combining agility and precision,” he muses. “That would take the game to the next level.”
Despite his incredible career, the padel pro remains as motivated now as when he started. “In my mind, I believe something bigger is coming,” he says, his drive never unflagging. “The values I live by – hard work, humility, and always striving for the best – are the same ones that I teach my children.”
In the region, padel has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, something Fernando has played an active role in. “Four years ago, I was in Dubai when padel was just beginning. Now, the growth is incredible,” he says. “Padel only needs one thing – time. Once it enters a country, in three or four years, it takes off.” In future, he hopes to see padel continue its rise on the international stage. “If we can get padel into the 2036 Olympics, it’d be incredible,” he adds. “But first, we have to keep working, evolving the sport worldwide.”
For Fernando, success is not about resting on his past achievements (of which there are many). Rather, it’s about planning for the future. Whether on the court or in collaboration with Richard Mille, this star athlete remains committed to pushing the limits of what is possible.
