Gold runs in the family: Araujo siblings win Mixed title, Italy take silver

The cry of joy and the embrace between two siblings who have shared everything, now including the greatest joy of all in the Mixed event. Sofia and Pedro Araujo give Portugal its first gold medal for Padel at the XX Mediterranean Games. On the other side of the court, Giulia Dal Pozzo and Marco Cassetta take silver for Italy after a two-hour final decided in three sets by the Portuguese siblings (6-2 3-6 6-3).

 

It was a contest the Italians tried to reopen after a difficult first set, bringing the packed Central Court at Parco del Mediterraneo to life on the decisive day. Dal Pozzo and Cassetta changed the pace in the second set, winning it to level the match. In the third, the balance returned: with Italy leading 3-2 and a Star Point that could have made it 4-2, an overhit smash from Cassetta gave the Araujo siblings the momentum. Sofia and Pedro seized the opportunity, pulled away decisively and closed out the match to claim gold.

 

For Sofia, world number 8 in the FIP Ranking, it is an even more special medal after a day that began with defeat in the women’s bronze-medal match. “It was a very difficult win. It was undoubtedly a very complicated match, and we are extremely proud to have won this medal. It is even more special because I have my brother by my side. I think being so close was fundamental, especially after my match this morning. We achieved our goal, and that was the most important thing.”

 

A special gold because it was a family victory, but also because of a shirt to honour. “I have always said that playing for your country is the highest point in an athlete’s career,” said ‘Peu’. “They are always the best weeks and being able to represent so many people is an enormous pleasure, an enormous source of pride. Being able to do it alongside my sister is something very difficult to match.” Their ability to support each other made the difference in the most delicate moments. “We knew from the start that it would be a difficult tournament and that the final would probably be against them,” Pedro explained. “We started very well, but we knew it would be a difficult match. At one point in the third set, things became complicated, but we managed to hold on physically and, above all, mentally. We managed to support each other.”