Beatriz González Fernández, known as “Bea” in the WPT world, is a professional cricketer, born on 23 November 2001 in Malaga, who captivates fans of the sport with her daring style on the pitch. The talent and quality of the youngster from Malaga are unquestionable, which is why she ranks among the top five in the world rankings.
start
Biya became attached to paddle tennis at the age of 6 thanks to her father, Antonio Gonzalez, who she watched practice the game in the company of friends. So her instinct to follow in her father’s footsteps drives her to grab a paddle and pound the walls until she finally decides to play.
Fabian Gelibter of the El Palo Miraflores club invited Beatrice to practice at their facility after watching her play. Amazingly, it only took Beatriz three months to join the Tour of Andalusia and compete. Since then, since her first official match, she has not lost a game in the first three years of her player career.
That has even the most die-hard rowers looking at the girl as a bright future in the sport. At the age of 14, she started competing in the World Padel Tour, the best league in the world, making her the youngest athlete in history to debut on the tour as a professional padel player. That’s thanks to eight-time world champion Paula Eyheraguibel, who invited her to form a duo with whom she reached the quarter-finals twice.
undisputed commitment
Beatriz Gonzalez’s story is that of a teenager navigating the world of working women, though it’s not without its challenges and triumphs, including sacrifices and hardships.
According to “Bea” herself, in her first year as a World Padel Tour player she was very nervous competing with Paula, but it was a year of learning. Plus, the media hype that exposed the couple’s age difference (Paola was 42) made everything more difficult for the young woman, who, however, delivered a stellar performance.
It should also be mentioned that the young woman had to manage her high school studies with a career as a professional cricketer, and since she entered the WPT, she has climbed the world rankings and become a great hope for the sport.
success and more success
6 years after her debut, she is ranked 5th in the WPT rankings, holding titles comparable to four Spanish Champions (Benjamin, Alévin, Baby and Junior), three National Junior Masters Champions or five Andalusian Championships Equally important etc. Her goal is to become number one in the world, and everything seems to indicate that she will achieve this goal in the not-too-distant future.
The most surprising thing about this young player since her debut is her dedication and irreverent style on the court. Not to mention she’s always been open to taking advice from her coaches and teammates, including her family.
It’s worth noting that she also formed a pretty solid duo with Cata Tenorio, having a solid 2018, even reaching the semi-finals of the Open. In fact, she is the youngest cricketer in WPT history to have a controversial semi-final and Villa de San Javier Challenger tournament final.
She also competed with two top pros, Paula Jose Maria and Lucia Sainz.She will join partner Martita Ortega in the WPT Masters final in Barcelona next week (December 2022)
Awards and Achievements
Throughout her career, “Bea” has won multiple awards that have allowed her to get to where she is today. Here are the most important achievements of her career:
- Ranked 11th on the World Padel Tour.
- 2017 Andalusia Absolute Team Competition runner-up.
- In 2017, he won the Spanish runner-up with the Spanish national team.
- 2017 Spanish U-18 champion.
- 2017 World Team Champion.
- 2017 National U-18 National Masters National Champion.
- Youngest player in history (14 years old) to participate in the WPT Finals draw in 2016.
- 2015 World Team Champion.
- For four consecutive years (2011-2012-2013 and 2014) FEP was ranked #1 nationally in the Benjamins, Alvins and Babies category.
- 2014 Spanish Children’s and Team Champions.
- 2014 National Junior Masters Champion.
- World Padel Tour fifth place
A role model for a new generation
There is no doubt that to talk about Beatriz Gonzalez is to refer to one of the most iconic players of the new generation of professional cricketers. We can even say that her sacrifice, hard work, dedication and discipline are an example for future generations to learn from.
Because, as a 14-year-old girl, she proved that she was ready to face and overcome any obstacle in a championship contested by adult athletes with extensive professional experience.
Biya has certainly changed how fans think about women’s cricket today.
