THE BEST RACQUETBALL PLAYERS OF THE AMERICAS SEEK GLORY AT LIMA 2019

Unlike squash, the rules of racquetball contemplate playing for longer hours. Even though both sports are played in an indoor court of 6x12 m, with four walls and a ceiling, racquetball players must maintain their service to keep scoring. This means that the psychological aspect is often more important than the physical.

At the Callao Regional Sports Village courts, racquetball semi-finals promise to be exciting, due to the great level of competitors. In fact, the current world champion lost in the round of 16in the women's category. The Argentinian Natalia Méndez was the responsible for leaving the Guatemalan Ana Gabriela Martínez without a gold medal.

She was born in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz, but she represents the Argentinian team, due to her great affinity with Argentina. Her seven junior tittles give her a credit for winning the gold medal. “I started to play when I was 13 in Bolivia, but only three years ago I was able to travel with the Argentinian team for the professional tour. I have been able to improve my level because of the opportunities they've given me,” she said.

However, she has yet to compete against Paola Longoria, the best female racquetball player of all time, who is ready to earn her third consecutive Pan American gold medal. Likewise, the Mexican star player has respect for all competitors. She does not want to be surprised.

“The level across the continent has matched in recent years and, as years go by, new faces with incredible performances arrive. I have been working for about 10 years with my multidisciplinary team and, although I can no longer train as I did before, I still have the ambition to be the best player in my sport,” said Paola Longoria.

Racquetball will be contested in individuals, doubles and team events at the Pan American Games. All matches will be played to the best of three sets. The first two sets will be played to 15 points and the third set to 11 points, according to International Racquetball Federation regulations. Fans can buy tickets for this event on the Pan American and Parapan American Games official website. lima2019.pe/tickets

Additionally, you can buy your tickets at any authorized point of sale at the Metro and Wong supermarkets and stores in the districts of Chorrillos, Independencia, La Molina, Lima, Miraflores, San Borja, San Isidro, San Juan de Miraflores, San Miguel and Surco.  It is worth mentioning that a new point of sale has just opened at the Jockey Plaza shopping center in Santiago de Surco.