EI begin to write these sad lines, sitting on the plane to Barcelona, I am going to fire a professional “colleague” named William “Pato” lvarez, that today go up to heaven.
I say “partner” because he was never really a “friend.” I did not have that opportunity, although thanks to Emilio Sanchez Vicario, a good friend, shared with me many of his many anecdotes from his professional career with him, since he had been by his side since he was 8 years old. His last tweet says it all: “Goodbye WP, you marked my life since I was young, you helped me find my best self, you taught me to have a passion for competing, to give my best without looking around. You leave a legacy very important in the world of tennis, I will make sure that it continues in time and is remembered, RIP”
When in 2015 Emilio asked me for help to make a tribute in life, do not doubt it at any time, because I think the same as him: that the tributes must be made in life, so that the protagonist enjoys it to the fullest in the fullness of his faculties and so we did.
And really, I think we got it. All those present said that they had never seen him so excited. At the Academy in Barcelona they dedicated a court with his name, all the players who entered were present there, and those who could not sent him a loving video.
I also remember that there were personalities from the industry, dedicated to the training of coaches, such as Hakan Dalhbo, President of the Professional Tennis Coaches Association or Adrian Rattenbury, President of the European Registry of Tennis Professionals, who presented him with several plaques in recognition of “all his professional work”. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon that culminated with a dinner, where what surprised me the most was the amount of CARING that all the players who enter and especially the deep I RESPECT. Both Emilio and I also recognized him from the International Coaches Institute and from the Professional Tennis Registry.
What William “Pato” Álvarez has done for the SPANISH TENNIS, since he arrived in our country in the 70’s he has been impressive, and his legacy will always remain valid, Emilio already told you and we will help him stay alive.
When, in the early years of the Professional Tennis Registry, we decided to create the SPANISH TENNIS PRIZES and naming him “Best Coach Professional” in 1993, showed us his deep appreciation, we were nothing, we had only been in the tennis industry for four years, and “Pato” was everything because he led a group with The best players in the world. Later, Emilio told me that the plaque we gave him was carried through all the tournaments and he showed it to everyone. It was the first time that someone recognized his work. I am proud of it.
That modesty He always kept it, there was no call for him to come to participate in a training course or a conference in one of our congresses or symposiums that he refused, he was always there, and then NEVER He wanted to charge nothing for this work, nor did he spend the cost of his displacement….
And I say this because many criticized him, continue to criticize him, in our PAS of the ENVY, some still can’t stand that PEOPLE are successful and triumph, or simply that things go well for them. Willian “Pato” Álvarez was a human being, with his virtues and his defects, like anyone else, I always look at his virtues, and I can proudly say that his humility and professionalism were “10”, at least with me and with the RPT, FOREVER!!
But if I enter the personal plane, I have been able to know him more deeply thanks to another good friend, Toni Colom, “Colombo”, who knows him very well, since as a coach he traveled and shared with him for many weeks in the Futures Circuit, the last stage of “Pato”, and then he spoke with him every week, yesterday he told me “Luis, that call gave me life, happy, we laugh, we share anecdotes .. “. And everything Toni always told me was good, yesterday he sent me this photo, which made me very excited, so I have no doubt that “Pato” always had us in mind.
Today I found myself at the farewell with many people who loved him, like Juan Alberto “Pitu” Viloca o jaume Pla, two of his former players, who also always took care of him, especially in the last stage of his life.
This says a lot about its impact, and the carry so that they would always be there. Emilio spoke at the farewell mass, dedicating some nice words to him, defending his integrity “Pato was always the same, always, he was austere but generous, very tough, but loving, he helped us give better of ourselves every day”… emotional video with samba music with its best images, which undoubtedly made everyone present happy… we were all sad, but “Pato” managed to make sure that the day his funeral was happy.
The last time I was with him was last October in Barcelona, during a meal we had with Emilio, coinciding with the finals of the ATP Challenger tournament, where we were taking one of our International Coaches Institute courses for coaches… I am left with his last words “… I mean you are like me, you never get tired…keep it up, you’re doing great…”
Continue like this William “Pato” Alvarez, I will always remember you and as long as I live I will try to make your legacy keep present. Today when everything was over, I went with Emilio to the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, sitting on the terrace with a magnificent sunny day we remembered you again, we sealed our commitment to always leave your “GREAT LEGACY” alive… and during the food we toast with a good red wine for you, “Pato”!!
Have a nice trip buddy
louis mediaro
President & Founder
Professional Tennis Registration
