The sport of padel has grown over the years, especially as new and exciting racket sports hit the US. There are a select few individuals who have risen to the top in recent years, showcasing incredible skill, agility, and strategy on the court. For English speaking padel enthusiasts, its important to know who is the best. Almost all of the players that are world class are from the Spanish speaking world. These players have captivated audiences worldwide with their remarkable performances and unwavering determination. In this article, we explore the elite class of padel players who have established themselves as the best in the world. Join us as we delve into their awe-inspiring careers and discover what sets them apart in this rapidly growing sport. Here are the best female and male Padel players in the World
Womens
Paula Josemaria
Paula Josemaría Martí currently holds the top spot in the World Padel Tour rankings and plays on the drive alongside Ariana Sánchez, forming the best padel pair in the world. Paula achieved the number 1 ranking in WPT 2023 after winning the Open de Amsterdam, solidifying her dominance in the sport. Her career began in 2014, but it was in 2016 that she started to excel, reaching the quarterfinals with her partner Esther Lasheras. Over the years, Paula has had different partners, including Valeria Pavón, Ana Catarina Nogueira, Marta Marrero, and finally, Ariana Sánchez. Her outstanding performances and achievements have led her to represent Spain in international competitions, becoming a world champion in 2021. Through determination and skill, Paula Josemaría has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of padel.
Ariana Sanchez
Ariana Sánchez, known as “Magic Ari” or simply “Ari,” hails from Spain. Currently ranked number 1 in the World Padel Tour, she showcases unparalleled skill, agility, and determination that have propelled her to the pinnacle of the global padel scene. With a formidable backhand and impressive track record, Ariana has become a force to be reckoned with, dominating the sport alongside her partner Paula Josemaría. Her journey from a promising junior player to a world-class athlete has solidified her status as one of the most influential figures in women’s padel. Sponsored by Head Padel, Ariana continues to make strides, consistently raising the bar for the level of play in the sport. With an impressive list of accolades and victories, Ariana Sánchez is a shining star in the world of padel.
Gemma Triay
A prolific professional Spanish paddle player, Gemma Triay currently holds the 3rd position in the World Padel Tour ranking. She plays on the backhand side alongside Marta Ortega, forming the second-best pair in the ranking. Gemma has achieved remarkable success, securing the top spot in the last three WPT editions, partnering with Lucía Sainz in 2020 and with Alejandra Salazar in both 2021 and 2022.
Her competitive spirit led her to switch from tennis to paddle in 2010, making her debut on the international circuit in 2013. Throughout her illustrious career, Gemma has been a world and European champion with the Spanish paddle team and was honored as the best player on the WPT circuit in 2017. Despite facing a controversial situation when her regular partner Alejandra Salazar underwent elbow surgery in June 2023, resulting in Gemma temporarily teaming up with Marta Ortega, she decided to continue playing with Martita after achieving impressive results such as winning the Italy Major. Gemma elegantly explained her decision and the circumstances in an interview, demonstrating her commitment to the sport and her ability to navigate challenging situations.
Alejandra Salazar
Alejandra is truly a force to be reckoned with on the World Padel Tour. With an impressive career that has seen her reach the number 1 ranking four times, Salazar has solidified her position as one of the top players in the sport. Known for her exceptional skills as a right-handed player, Salazar dominates the drive position alongside her partner Sofia Araujo. Throughout her remarkable journey, Salazar has partnered with esteemed players such as Carolina Navarro, Marta Marrero, Ariana Sánchez, and Gemma Triay. Currently ranked at number 4, Salazar and Araujo are a formidable duo that consistently strives for greatness on the court.
Beatriz Gonzalez
Beatriz González, better known as Bea, is a rising star in the world of padel players. With her captivating gameplay and fearless character on the court, she has quickly made a name for herself. Despite her young age, she has shown undeniable talent and quality under pressure, proving herself time and time again. Bea has partnered with top professionals like Marta Ortega and Paula Josemaría before finding success with Delfina Brea. She holds impressive titles, such as being the youngest player to reach a World Padel Tour tournament’s final round at just 14 years old and the youngest champion in professional tournament history at 18. With her unstoppable determination and the support of her family, Bea’s legacy in the sport is destined for greatness.
Mens
Agustin Tapia
Known as “El Mozart de Catamarca,” Agustin Tapia is a professional Argentine padel player currently ranked 2nd in the World Padel Tour and 6th in the FIP ranking. Tapia, along with his partner Arturo Coello, form the best padel pair in the world. Despite his young age, Tapia has played alongside some of the greatest players in history, such as Juan Martin Diaz, Fernando Belasteguin, and Pablo Lima, solidifying his position as the number one player in the world. With a combination of talent, youth, and a touch of recklessness, Tapia has risen to the top of the padel world, conquering tournaments all over the globe. His elegant and exquisite style of play has earned him the nickname “El Mozart de Catamarca.”
Arturo Coello
Arturo’s nickname is “king Arthur” of the padel world, and for good reason. He is a rising star in the Spanish paddle tennis scene. Born on March 8, 2002, in Mojados, Valladolid, Coello has shown remarkable talent and dedication from a young age. His meteoric rise in the sport can be attributed to his powerful and aggressive playing style, which prioritizes offense over defense. Coello has had the privilege of partnering with renowned players such as Miguel Lamperti and Javi Ruiz before finding success alongside the legendary Fernando Belasteguín. Coello’s partnership with Belasteguín allowed him to refine his game and become a more well-rounded player, leading to remarkable achievements such as winning the World Padel Tour at just 19 years old. Coello’s career has been supported by renowned sports brand Head Padel, with his weapon of choice being the Head Delta Pro paddle, known for its power and versatility. With his current partner Agustín Tapia, Coello continues to dominate the padel world, setting the stage for a future legend in the sport.
Martin Di Nenno
Martín Di Nenno is currently ranked 3rd in the World Padel Tour and plays on the drive alongside Franco Stupaczuk. Known as “Los Superpibes,” Di Nenno and Stupaczuk form the second-best padel pair in the world. Di Nenno is renowned for his intelligent play, exceptional defensive skills, and ability to read the game, making him one of the top drives in the global padel scene.
Despite a tragic traffic accident in 2016 that left him with severe injuries, including broken legs, Di Nenno made a remarkable comeback to the sport after 15 months of arduous rehabilitation. He has since become a shining example of resilience, perseverance, and triumph, winning his first professional title over five years after the accident. Di Nenno’s journey of perseverance and determination has solidified his status as one of the most promising young padel players in recent years.
Franco Stupaczuk
Franco Stupaczuk, AKA “Stupa,” is an Argentine professional padel star ranked 4th in the World Padel Tour. Alongside his doubles partner Martín Di Nenno, they are globally recognized as “Los Superpibes.” Stupaczuk has steadily climbed the ranks in the circuit, establishing himself as a top 10 player. With numerous accolades under his belt, including winning the Argentina sub-12 championship at just 8 years old, Stupaczuk’s talent and dedication to the sport have propelled him to success. Recently, he signed a contract with SIUX, a renowned brand in the world of padel, further solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the sport. As he reunites with Di Nenno, fans can expect Stupaczuk to continue his pursuit of the number 1 ranking.
Alejandro Galan
Ale Galán is another mens padel force, who forms a formidable partnership with Juan Lebrón (below). Like Dwayne Wade and Lerbon once did, they are a great partnership who rank as the third-best pair in the world. Galán’s strengths lie in his powerful flat shots, quick reflexes, and outstanding physical condition. However, he excels in all aspects of the game.
Galán’s career in the World Padel Tour began in 2016 when he teamed up with Juan Cruz Belluati. Their partnership gained momentum in 2017, and Galán’s breakthrough came when he joined forces with Matías Díaz in 2018. With Díaz, Galán consistently reached semifinals and claimed his first World Padel Tour title in the Valladolid Open. Notably, Galán and Díaz emerged victorious in the Lugo Open as well. In 2019, Galán partnered with Juani Mieres, securing victories in the Máster de Argentina and the Open de Valencia alongside Pablo Lima. However, since 2020, Galán has formed a successful partnership with Juan Lebrón Chincoa, claiming the number one ranking in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Juan Lebron
Yes, that’s right, another Lebron that dominates the sporting world Juan currently holds the 6th position in the World Padel Tour ranking. Playing in the drive position alongside Alejandro Galán, they form the third-ranked pair in the world. Lebrón made history in 2019 by becoming the first Spanish player to reach the number 1 spot in the world, alongside Paquito Navarro.
Since then, he has continued to be a dominant force in the sport and in 2020, he partnered with Galán to clinch the number 1 ranking. Their partnership has led to an impressive reign at the top, with three consecutive years holding the coveted title. With an impressive track record as a junior and a strong presence in the World Padel Tour circuit, Lebrón’s talent and determination have solidified his place as one of the best in the sport.