The Rise of Women’s Padel
In recent years, padel has surged in popularity around the globe, with female players leading the charge in the sport’s rapid expansion. While traditionally dominated by male athletes, the women’s game is now attracting attention for its high level of skill, athleticism, and the sheer excitement it generates. As the World Padel Tour (WPT) and Premier Padel circuits continue to grow, women’s padel has reached new heights, with elite players not only captivating audiences but also re-writing the history books with record-breaking performances and fierce rivalries.
From the fast-paced action on the court to the thrilling matchups between top players, the women’s side of padel is experiencing a golden era. With that in mind, we present the five female padel players you should be watching. These athletes are not only dominating the sport but also setting the stage for future generations of padel enthusiasts.
Player 1: Ariana Sánchez – The Unstoppable Force
Current Status: World No. 1 (or consistently at the very top)
Ariana Sánchez is one of the brightest stars in women’s padel. Consistently ranking at or near the top of the World Padel Tour rankings, she has solidified herself as the current benchmark for excellence in the sport. Her blend of skill, consistency, and mental toughness has made her a formidable force on the court.
Playing Style: The Complete Player
Sánchez is the embodiment of a well-rounded padel player. She possesses an incredible mix of defensive stability, offensive flair, and strategic intelligence. Whether it’s executing powerful smashes, perfecting the delicate “bandeja,” or displaying unmatched court awareness, she can do it all.
Key Strengths:
- Mental Fortitude and Consistency: Sánchez’s ability to remain calm and focused under pressure is one of her defining traits. This mental toughness allows her to stay consistent and perform at the highest level in crucial moments.
- Court Positioning and Anticipation: A true master of court positioning, Sánchez is rarely caught off-guard. Her anticipation allows her to be in the right place at the right time, often making her opponents’ attacks look easy to defend.
- Powerful Shots: Her “bandeja” (a soft overhead shot) and “vibora” (a sharp, spinning volley) are both powerful and precise, making her a constant threat at the net.
Signature Move/Weapon: The Net Control
Ariana Sánchez’s ability to dominate the net is what truly sets her apart. She controls the pace of the game, forcing her opponents into difficult situations and dictating the flow of play. Her net game is a combination of anticipation, power, and precision that is difficult to match.
Partner: Paula Josemaría
One of the most dynamic partnerships in women’s padel today is the pairing of Sánchez and Paula Josemaría. Their complementary styles—Sánchez’s steady and tactical approach combined with Josemaría’s aggressive net play—have made them a formidable duo on the World Padel Tour.
Why Watch Her?
Ariana Sánchez is a must-watch for anyone interested in seeing a masterclass in padel IQ and execution. Her ability to stay calm under pressure and dominate at the net makes her a truly unique and exciting player to watch.
Player 2: Paula Josemaría – The Aggressive Artisan
Current Status: World No. 1 (or 2), Partner to Ariana Sánchez
Paula Josemaría is one of the most exciting players on the World Padel Tour. Her aggressive playing style, especially at the net, has made her a dominant force in the sport. Alongside her partner Ariana Sánchez, Josemaría has become one of the most feared players on tour.
Playing Style: Net-Dominating Powerhouse
Josemaría’s playing style is defined by her aggressive and fearless approach to the game. She thrives in the front court, where she can put away points with powerful smashes and creative winners. Her offensive brilliance often leaves opponents scrambling to keep up.
Key Strengths:
- Incredible Reflexes: Paula’s quickness at the net allows her to react to even the most challenging shots with ease. Her reflexes are unparalleled, making her a nightmare for opponents who try to attack her side of the court.
- Smash Variations: One of the most exciting elements of Josemaría’s game is her ability to hit a variety of different smashes. Her mix of power, angles, and deceptive shot-making keeps her opponents guessing and on edge.
- Fearlessness: Josemaría’s fearless attitude toward taking risks on court makes her an offensive powerhouse. She isn’t afraid to go for big shots, even in pressure situations.
Signature Move/Weapon: The “X3” Smash
Josemaría has developed a devastating “X3” smash, a move that is both powerful and incredibly difficult to read. The unpredictable nature of this shot adds an extra layer of danger to her already impressive offensive game.
Partner: Ariana Sánchez
As mentioned, Paula Josemaría’s partnership with Ariana Sánchez has been a game-changer for the duo. Their complementary playing styles have led them to many victories and made them one of the most exciting teams to watch on the World Padel Tour.
Why Watch Her?
For breathtaking, point-ending shots and pure offensive brilliance, Paula Josemaría is one of the most thrilling players to watch on the padel circuit today.
Player 3: Bea González – The Tenacious Challenger
Current Status: A consistent top-5 player, known for challenging the established hierarchy
Bea González is one of the rising stars in women’s padel. Known for her relentless drive and competitive spirit, González has been steadily climbing the rankings and challenging the established order of the sport.
Playing Style: Energetic, Physical, and Relentless
González’s game is characterized by her high energy, physicality, and determination. She covers every inch of the court with incredible speed, often turning defensive situations into attacking opportunities.
Key Strengths:
- Speed and Defensive Retrieves: González’s speed allows her to retrieve seemingly impossible shots, making her an excellent defender. Her quickness also enables her to recover from difficult situations and turn the tide of a rally.
- Left-Handed Attack: As a left-handed player, González is able to create angles that right-handed players often struggle to defend. This gives her a unique advantage on the court.
- Fierce Competitiveness: González’s never-say-die attitude is one of her defining traits. She battles for every point and has a fiery spirit that makes her one of the most exciting players to watch.
Signature Move/Weapon: Turning Defense into Offense
González has the remarkable ability to transition from defense to offense in the blink of an eye. Her speed and power allow her to counteract her opponent’s attacks and immediately capitalize on the opportunity.
Partner: Delfi Brea
Bea González and Delfi Brea have formed a solid partnership, complementing each other’s strengths. While González is known for her speed and athleticism, Brea provides a calm and steady presence on the court.
Why Watch Her?
Bea González’s raw passion and athleticism make her one of the most dynamic and exciting players on the World Padel Tour. Watching her fight for every point is a testament to her fierce competitiveness.
Player 4: Marta Ortega – The Veteran Maestro
Current Status: A seasoned veteran who remains a constant threat in the latter stages of tournaments
Marta Ortega may not be the youngest player on the circuit, but her experience and technical prowess make her a constant threat. Ortega’s intelligence and grace on the court have earned her the nickname “The Maestro” of padel.
Playing Style: Technical, Intelligent, and Graceful
Ortega’s game is defined by its intelligence and strategic approach. She doesn’t rely on raw power, but rather on her impeccable technique and deep understanding of the game’s geometry. She can outsmart her opponents with her clever use of angles, lobs, and drop shots.
Key Strengths:
- Impeccable Technique: Ortega’s technique is flawless. Her ability to control the ball and place it exactly where she wants makes her a tough opponent for anyone on tour.
- Master of the Lob and Drop Shot: Ortega’s lob and “bajada” (drop shot) are two of her signature moves. She can use these shots to maneuver her opponents around the court, making them vulnerable to her attacks.
- Strategic Experience: Ortega’s years of experience have honed her ability to read the game and execute strategies that force her opponents into difficult situations.
Signature Move/Weapon: The Disguised Drop Shot
Ortega’s drop shot is a work of art. She has the ability to disguise it so well that her opponents are often left stranded at the back of the court, helpless to retrieve the ball.
Partner: Gemma Triay
Marta Ortega and Gemma Triay have been one of the most successful partnerships in women’s padel. Together, they’ve won multiple titles, and their complementary styles make them a formidable duo.
Why Watch Her?
For padel fans who appreciate the artistry and deep strategic thinking behind the game, Marta Ortega is a player worth watching.
Player 5: Gemma Triay – The Powerful Contender
Current Status: A former World No. 1 and a major title winner
Gemma Triay is a powerhouse of women’s padel. Known for her incredible strength and raw power, Triay has dominated the sport for several years and remains one of the most formidable players on tour.
Playing Style: Powerful, Aggressive, and Dominant
Triay’s style is characterized by her aggressive approach and commanding presence on the court. She can dominate from the back of the court, using her powerful smashes to control the game.
Key Strengths:
- Powerful Smashes: Triay’s “canonazo” (crushing smash) is one of the most feared shots in the game. It’s a primary weapon she uses to win points, often leaving her opponents unable to react.
- Mental Toughness: Triay’s ability to remain focused and calm in high-pressure situations has made her a champion time and again.
- Strong Partnership Understanding: Triay and Ortega’s partnership is one of the most successful in the sport, with both players understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Signature Move/Weapon: The “Canonazo” Smash
Triay’s smash is a signature move that sends shockwaves through the court. Her ability to hit powerful, flat smashes makes her a threat from anywhere on the court.
Partner: Marta Ortega
Together with Marta Ortega, Gemma Triay has formed one of the most successful and feared partnerships in women’s padel. Their combined power and strategic play make them a force to be reckoned with.
Why Watch Her?
Gemma Triay is a must-watch for anyone interested in witnessing raw power and the game of a true champion.
Honorable Mentions: The Next Generation
While these five players are currently dominating the sport, there are a few rising stars who are not far behind. Players like Delfi Brea, Virginia Riera, and Sofia Araujo are knocking on the door of the top 5, and they’re sure to make waves in the near future.
Conclusion: A Golden Era for the Sport
As we look to the future of women’s padel, it’s clear that we’re witnessing a golden era. With players like Ariana Sánchez, Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Marta Ortega, and Gemma Triay leading the way, the competition is fierce, and the level of play has never been higher.
The excitement, the rivalries, and the sheer athleticism of these women are pushing the sport of padel to new heights. It’s a fantastic time to be a fan of women’s padel, and with the next generation of players emerging, the future of the sport looks even brighter.
FAQs
1. Who are the top female padel players to watch?
The top female padel players dominating the sport right now are Ariana Sánchez, Paula Josemaría, Bea González, Marta Ortega, and Gemma Triay. Each player brings unique skills, fierce competition, and excitement to the court, making them standout stars on the World Padel Tour (WPT).
2. What makes Ariana Sánchez the best female padel player?
Ariana Sánchez is known for her exceptional tactical intelligence, consistency, and ability to control the net. She is a complete player, excelling both offensively and defensively, with powerful shots like the “bandeja” and “vibora” and incredible court positioning.
3. How does Paula Josemaría’s playing style differ from other players?
Paula Josemaría is an aggressive front-court player with a devastating smash and quick reflexes. Her fearless approach to the game and creativity in finishing points make her a dynamic player and a formidable opponent, especially at the net.
4. What is Bea González known for in padel?
Bea González is known for her relentless energy, speed, and defensive skills. She has a strong left-handed attack and a “never-say-die” attitude that makes her one of the most exciting and physically demanding players on tour.
5. Why is Marta Ortega considered a veteran maestro in padel?
Marta Ortega has built a reputation as a technical, intelligent player with exceptional ball control and court awareness. Her experience and mastery of strategic plays, like lobs and drop shots, make her one of the most graceful and strategic players in women’s padel.
6. What is Gemma Triay’s key strength in padel?
Gemma Triay is known for her powerful and aggressive playing style, especially her crushing smashes. Her physical strength and mental toughness make her a dominant player, and she is a key contender in any tournament.
7. Who are some rising stars in women’s padel?
Rising stars in women’s padel include Delfi Brea, Virginia Riera, and Sofia Araujo. These players are steadily climbing the rankings and will likely be key competitors in the near future.
