Issa Batrane and Freddie Bialokoz, Team Deep Dish, have just scored their first gold medal on the Beach Pro Tour at the Futures Event in Halifax, Canada! The dynamic duo achieved this monumental victory at the Halifax Futures tournament, putting on a show of resilience and skill that captivated fans and left their mark on the tournament.
Seeded third, Bialokoz and Batrane faced an early setback when they lost their opening match to the sixth-seeded Canadian team, Abrams and Pickett. However, they bounced back with a series of impressive straight-set victories through the eighthfinals and quarterfinals.
The semifinals saw the English pair at their best, as they dismantled the fourth-seeded Americans, Urrutia and Drost, with a commanding 2-0 (21-10, 21-13) win. This set up a highly anticipated rematch with Abrams and Pickett in the final. In a dramatic showdown, Bialokoz and Batrane turned the tables, securing a 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) victory and finally capturing that elusive gold medal.
"Winning our first gold medal on the Pro Tour in Halifax was an incredible moment that made all our hard work worthwhile. However, this is just the beginning. With many tournaments ahead, we’re driven to keep pushing forward, and aim to hear the national anthem play again on the podium soon."
Tell us a little bit about your experience!
Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to compete in the Beach Pro Tour Futures Event in Halifax, Canada. This tournament was right in the heart of Halifax, with the courts by the waterfront and marina. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Villeneuve family, who opened their doors to us and made our stay truly memorable. Their warm hospitality and generosity have made them a cherished part of the Team BB family!
What notable games or travel stories do you have from the tournament?
We have yet to top our pool at any Pro Tour Event, and this continued in Halifax. We lost in a somewhat disappointing three sets to a young, up-and-coming Canadian team where things never fully clicked for us under the lights. Despite this, we played two more Canadian teams en route to the semifinals, finding more rhythm and confidence with each game.
What was the most memorable moment or highlight of the tournament?
Our most memorable moment was our best performance in the semifinal against the US, where we were the crowd favourites. The atmosphere was fantastic, definitely our highlight of the tournament.
What challenges did you face on and off the court during the tournament?
On the court, we faced challenges with maintaining consistency and adapting to different teams. Off the court, we dealt with a somewhat partisan crowd against us, particularly during our games against Canadian teams. In the final, the heckling was stepped up a level, with creative signs like an “Issa Angry Elf” in neon pink. However, this only served to push and motivate us more during the game.
What’s next on your tournament schedule?
In the coming weeks, we’ll be diving into a busy tournament season. First up is a Futures tournament in Warsaw, where we’ll be looking to build on our recent success and refine our skills further. Following that, we’re splitting up to compete in the Queen and King of the Court tournament in Utrecht. There’s a chance we might end up facing each other, so keep an eye out for that match-up!
Any special events or highlights in the near future?
Freddie will be joining the festivities at Watergate Bay in Newquay for a fun-filled event hosted by Deep Dish, and after that we'll be competing in a Queen and King of the Court event right in the heart of London. We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to put on a show at home!
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