Britain's Chloe De La Mare undaunted by FIP World Cup challenge
• 3 minutes read
British padel star Chloe de la Mare is unfazed by the prospect of facing the world's best players at the upcoming FIP World Cup in Qatar.
16-year-old De La Mare only made her international debut in September at the FIP World Cup European qualifier in Madrid, where GB's women stormed to victories over Norway, Serbia and Poland to secure their place in Doha on 2-7 November.
GB's young debutante admits she didn't expect to play, assuming she was in the squad just to get a first experience of the elite-level environment - but not only did she play in all three matches alongside Victoria Nicholas, she won all three as well, including hitting the winning shot in the conclusive victory over Poland.
Now De la Mare and the GB women's team's sights are set on their next objective: to test their mettle amongst the top 16 nations in the world.
"I'm very excited that we've qualified for the World Cup, and a bit nervous again - but probably less nervous this time because I've done a week with the team now and you get to know people more," she said. "The team vibe was good and everyone's so nice."
The FIP World Cup format is four seeded groups of four, with each group winner progressing into semi-finals. So GB know they will face one of the top four seeds: nine-time winners Spain, eight-time champions Argentina, Italy (bronze medallists at the last three championships) or Portugal.
"I've seen on Instagram the team line-ups of Spain and Argentina (being announced) and they are obviously all of the top players in the world," said De la Mare. "If we were to be drawn against them it would be so cool to get that opportunity and experience.
"I think the fact that we didn't lose a match in the qualifying stage can make us believe we can do alright against some teams."
The young Brit's confidence is undoubtedly rooted in her superb performances alongside team-mate Nicholas in Madrid - especially in the crunch three-set victory against Polish pair Aleksandra Rosolska and Zofia Piorkowska.
Before her call-up, there had been a lot of talk on the padel scene about her performances in junior, LTA and FIP events. "After Madrid, it felt real!" she smiles. "Everyone was always so supportive saying that I could do it, and after Madrid I finally believed them."
It was a surprise and thrill when she was told by GB women's coach Libby Fletcher the night before the opening match against Norway that she would be playing.
"I wasn't expecting it, let alone first match up! But I was really happy, especially because I played with Vic as we'd been playing together a bit.
"I really enjoyed all of it. Obviously there was quite a lot of pressure and I felt that, but you don't get this opportunity much and when me and Vic play, we have fun on the court so that really helped.
"She's aggressive with a big overhead and smash, but that's something I don't really have. I'm solid and can build the point for her, and when that easy ball goes up she can come across and take it."
In an interview after the team's return from Spain, GB team-mate Catherine Rose was asked for her highlight of the trip in a media interview. Her reply? "Chloe de la Mare!"
"To hear that from Catherine is so cool," she laughs. "When I started playing padel, Catherine and Aimee (Gibson) were doing so well and I would look up to them both.
"She has always told me that I can do it. Her and Aimee have helped me to believe in myself a lot more."
De la Mare will next partner British-based Spaniard Ainhoa Rico at a FIP Bronze in Taunton, then fly from Guernsey to London to travel with the GB squad to Qatar.
She admits is can sometimes be tricky fitting all the training, travelling and competing in with her studies and spending time with friends, but the prospect of a future as a full-time padel professional makes the sacrifices more than worthwhile.
"My friends are always quite shocked and jealous at how much I'm going away," she admits. "But they've been really supportive and as soon as I get back home it's like I've never been away.
"To be able to play for GB already, and to think that I hopefully have so many more (years ahead) is so exciting. The fact that I get to play padel, which is what I love doing, it's so exciting to think where it will take me."
De La Mare and the rest of the British women will be in action at the FIP World Cup Finals between 2-7 November.
Find out everything you need to know about the tournament below:
