Padel
Padel legends: These are the greatest padel players of all time
These players aren't just stars - they're iconic padel figures leaving their mark and cementing their legacy as some of the finest this sport has ever seen.
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Padel, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, mixing elements of tennis and squash, is taking the world by storm thanks to its dynamic and social nature, with courts popping up in cities across the globe. The sport’s roots run deep in Spain and Argentina – two powerhouse nations that have produced both the sport’s legends and today’s top talents.
The debate over the best padel player of all time still starts with Fernando Belasteguín and his 16 straight years at No.1. In 2026, Gemma Triay became the most decorated woman in the sport’s history and Agustín Tapia climbed to third on the men’s all-time titles list.
You can see these top players showcase their skills on the court during Premier Padel – the professional padel circuit. Watch every match at every tournament from the quarter-finals onwards, live on Red Bull TV. Find out if you can access the coverage here. Don't see your country listed? Check out your local listings.
Read on to learn about the athletes who have shaped the sport throughout its history, as well as those who continue to contribute to its legacy.
Padel players share their stories
01
Juan Lebrón
Juan Lebrón is one of the most elegant players in padel history
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
Juan Lebrón Chincoa is one of the sport's most well-known and iconic players. After a promising junior career, Lebrón turned professional in 2016 and hasn't looked back since. He has tasted success as part of Spanish World Championship-winning teams and won multiple trophies at the highest level. On the padel tournament circuit, he has paired up with some of the sport’s greatest legends, including Marcello Jardim, Adrián Allemandi, Paquito Navarro and Alejandro Galán, among others. With Galán, he formed an unstoppable pair that finished three consecutive seasons as world No.1.
Lebrón, nicknamed 'El Lobo' ('The Wolf'), is known for his creative and elegant playing style, his insatiable hunger to win, and his passion for the sport of padel, which he has practised since childhood. “It’s a love I can’t describe. I’m in love with padel every single day,” he says.
In April 2026, he and Leo Augsburger beat the world No.1 pair Arturo Coello - Agustín Tapia in the Brussels P2 final. In November, Lebrón won his second World Cup with Spain, as he and Aimar Goñi came from a set down to win the opening match of the World Cup final in Doha, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2, and Spain went on to beat Argentina 2-1.
Get a glimpse into Juan Lebrón's padel-playing life in the video below:
10 min
Inside Juan ‘The Wolf’ Lebrón’s champion mindset
Get a glimpse into the life of one of padel’s greatest players, Juan Lebrón aka The Wolf.
02
Alejandro Galán
Alejandro Galán is one of the most complete padel players ever
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
After succeeding in various stages of his early career, Alejandro Galán’s breakthrough moment came in 2020 when he partnered with Juan Lebrón. Together, they redefined the sport by playing a new ultra-quick, dynamic brand of padel, overwhelming opponents with their speed and power.
As a pair, 'Ale' (sometimes nicknamed 'Galántico' because of his out-of-this-world shots and plays) and Lebrón won an astounding 33 titles and became almost invincible. The Madrid-born athlete is one of the most athletic and complete players in the world, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
Since 2024 he has partnered Federico Chingotto, forming the pair affectionately known by fans as 'Chingalán', the only team able to consistently challenge Coello and Tapia. In November 2025, they beat them to win the first FIP World Cup Pairs title, and in 2026 they won more than six Premier Padel titles, including Galán’s first Madrid P1 since 2022.
03
Fernando Belasteguín
Now retired, Fernando Belasteguín is a respected padel veteran
© Alberto Nevado/Red Bull Content Pool
Fernando Belasteguín is, for many, the best male padel player of all time. The Argentinian is one of the veterans of the sport and has been at the top of the game for a long time.
'Bela' has won 230 tournaments in 286 finals, though his most outstanding achievement was being the No.1-ranked player in the world for 16 consecutive years. Retired at the end of 2024, he continued to be competitive until the very end of his career, winning the Premier Padel Mexico Major in 2022 at the age of 43. Belasteguín's most iconic partner was fellow Argentinian Juan Martín Díaz, another legendary player.
The legend Belasteguín was best known for his intelligence and patience on court, which he combined with a calm demeanor that allowed him to excel in the most decisive moments of the match.
04
Juan Martín Díaz
Juan Martín Díaz is known for speed and quick reactions
© Andy Cheung/Getty Images
For most of Belasteguín’s reign, the other name on the trophy was Díaz. The left-hander from Mar del Plata, Argentina, spent 13 straight years at No.1 beside Bela, from 2002 to 2015, and the International Padel Federation credits him with 170 titles. Opponents called him the Lord of the Reflexes for his speed at the net and ability to pull off fast-reaction, spectacular shots. He played his last professional tournament in Mexico in 2023, at 47.
05
Pablo Lima
Belasteguín’s other great partner came from Brazil. Pablo Lima, known as ‘El Cañón de Porto Alegre’ (the Porto Alegre Cannon), spent four years at No.1 on the World Padel Tour beside Bela and retired with 66 professional titles. He played his final match at the Madrid Master in September 2023 and went on to coach Brazil’s national team.
06
Roby Gattiker and Alejandro Lasaigues
In the period just before Belasteguín and Diaz, Argentinians Robert Gattiker and Alejandro Lasaigues were the names that dominated the padel scene in the 1990s. After his career as a professional player, Lasaigues became an important figure in helping to grow the sport in the United States.
07
Arturo Coello
Born in Valladolid in 2002, Arturo Coello has emerged as a rising and current star in padel. At 1.9m tall, his height and reach provide a significant advantage, allowing him to execute powerful smashes and volleys. Coello's partnership with talented Agustín Tapia has been particularly noteworthy, as the duo has established themselves as the top-ranked pair in the world, clinching fourteen titles during the 2024 season, including four consecutive trophies.
Coello, a quick and explosive athlete despite his height, is redefining padel with his smashes from unthinkable spots on the court. His quick reflexes and incredible court coverage make him one of the toughest rivals to play against.
Watch Arturo Coello make history on home turf in the video below:
6 min
Home hits different: Arturo Coello in Valladolid
Surrounded by family and reflecting on his journey, padel player Coello makes history on home turf.
In October 2026, he and Tapia won the Kuwait Major to seal a fourth straight season as world No.1. A week later, Coello and Coki Nieto won the deciding match of the World Cup final 6-3, 6-2, giving Spain its first men’s world title since 2021.
“With him, it was always about the racket,” says his grandmother, recalling Coello’s natural calling to play padel at all times when he was a little kid. “He told me: I will sacrifice now to live the dream that many people have,” says his father.
Watch padel players tell their stories
08
Agustín Tapia
Born in Catamarca, Argentina, in 1999, Tapia became known as ‘The Mozart from Catamarca’ for his soft hands, improvised shots and sheer talent. He reached No.1 in 2023 and has finished at the top every season since. With more than 60 career titles, he ranks among the top three on the men’s all-time list, behind only Belasteguín and Díaz. He won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 and 2024 and, as of 2026, is unbeaten across four editions of the Paris Major at Roland Garros.
Agustín Tapia is arguably the most talented player to grace a padel court
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
The best women players:
Just like the men’s game, women’s professional padel is powered by fierce, athletic talents, sparking a wave of new talent, driving gender equality in padel, and proving the sport’s appeal across all ages and abilities.
09
Bea González
Bea González has one of the most powerful smash shots in the women’s game
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
Beatriz 'Bea' González is one of the brightest stars in women’s padel, known for her power, precision and fiery spirit on court. Nicknamed 'The Pearl' due to her raw talent and ability to shine on the court, Bea made history by becoming the youngest player to reach a World Padel Tour final at just 17.
Since then, despite several injuries, her career has continued to soar. She pairs explosive athleticism with sharp instincts, dominating her opponents from the left side of the court. Bea's intensity and hunger to win have made her a fan favorite and a constant threat in any tournament.
In 2026 she teamed up with Paula Josemaría, and between March and May they won five Premier Padel titles in a row, beating world No.1s Triay and Brea in all five finals. She also won the 2026 World Cup in Doha with Spain.
Off court, she’s charismatic and deeply passionate about growing the game, especially among younger girls who look up to her as a role model, since she likes to remember she was once that girl trying to make her padel dreams come true: “Having a club really close to home was very important. My mum signed me up for classes and my coach soon told her I had a gift,” she recalls.
10
Delfina Brea
Delfina Brea is one of the best right-side players in the sport’s history
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
For more than a decade, the women's world No.1 ranking sat outside Argentina, and the country's last greatest female player, Cecilia Reiter, was edging towards retirement. Today, her successor, Delfina Brea, is rewriting what's possible from the right side of the court with her unparalleled aggressiveness and poise.
Brea's 20+ Premier Padel titles already place her in the top tier of her generation, and her 2025 season, with three majors and the year-end No.1 ranking, is the kind of campaign that the greatest players in the sport's history string together over a decade or more. Brea is definitely capable of continuing to make history. Judging by the way she plays, she's just getting started.
In the Kuwait Major final in October 2026, she and Gemma Triay lost the first set to Ari Sánchez and Andrea Ustero, then took the next two 6-1, 6-1 for their seventh title of the season.
11
Ariana Sánchez
Ariana Sánchez is known for her exceptional defensive and strategic skills
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
Ariana Sánchez, born in Reus in 1997, is one of the most technically refined players in the world. She plays on the left side with precision and a deep understanding of the game, often setting the rhythm of rallies with her soft touch and intelligent placement. Her partnership with Paula Josemaría led them to the top of the rankings, with 10 tournament wins during the 2024 Premier Padel season, thanks to their perfect blend of creativity and aggression.
In the video below, Ari Sanchez shares her journey to the top – and the sacrifices it took:
6 min
The mindset that changed Ari Sanchez’s padel game
Padel’s star, Ari Sanchez shares her journey to the top – and the sacrifices it takes.
They split at the end of 2025 with 44 titles together, the most by any women’s pair. Sánchez now plays with Andrea Ustero, and in September 2026 they won the Paris Major at Roland Garros 6-2, 6-0. She has more than 55 career titles and added another World Cup with Spain in Doha in 2026.
12
Paula Josemaría
Paula Josemaría may be the finest left-hander women’s padel has seen
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
Paula Josemaría is a left-hander who plays the right side with one of the most lethal smash shots in women’s padel history. She finished 2023 and 2024 as world No.1 with Ariana Sánchez. The pair also won the first FIP World Cup Pairs in 2025. She clinched the 2024 World Cup for Spain and won it again in Doha in 2026, adding to her more than 50 career titles.
13
Alejandra Salazar
Alejandra Salazar performs her signature bandeja shot
© Gianfranco Tripodo/Red Bull Content Pool
Alejandra Salazar is a cornerstone of modern padel. Born in Madrid in 1985, she’s known for her smart, composed play on the right side. Her long career includes multiple No.1 rankings and victories with several partners, making her one of the most consistent and respected players of the last two decades.
Affectionately known as 'Bandejandra', her precise bandeja is one of the most iconic and recognisable shots in the world, and one of her primary tools in becoming one of the greatest ever.
Her title haul stood as the women’s record until 2026, the year she chose as her last season on tour.
Watch Ale Salazar reflect on her journey and celebrate the legacy and the fans she’s inspired:
7 min
Alejandra Salazar looks back on her padel career
Ale Salazar, former padel no1, reflects on her journey, celebrating the legacy and the fans she’s inspired.
14
Gemma Triay
Gemma Triay, from Menorca, is one of the most dominant and intense players on tour. With her aggressive left-side play, heavy smashes and passionate presence, she’s won major titles with several partners, including various stages as world No.1. Triay is a force on court and a fan favourite for her fiery energy.
Get an insight into Gemma Triay's life as one of the world’s top padel players as she reveals her dreams in the video below:
5 min
Gemma Triay on padel, passion and family dreams
Get an insight into the life of one of the world’s top padel players as Gemma Triay reveals her dreams.
In 2026 she became the first player to reach 200 Premier Padel wins. Her Kuwait Major title in October took her past Salazar as the most decorated woman in padel history, and in November she won the World Cup with Spain in Doha.
15
Martita Ortega
Marta Ortega is an extraordinary talent
© Premier Padel / Red Bull Content Pool
Martita Ortega is a blend of brains and elite-level skill. The Madrid-born right-side player became the youngest World No.1 in history in 2019, all while completing a degree in medicine. Her composed, intelligent style of play makes her one of the most unique players in the sport’s history.
16
Claudia Fernández
Claudia Fernández is known for her reliable and patient playing style
© Premier Padel/Red Bull Content Pool
Claudia Fernández is the face of padel’s future. Born in 2006, she broke into the world’s top 10 before turning 18 – an unprecedented achievement. Her poise, smooth technique and maturity on court have made her one of the most exciting young talents in the game. She’s on a rapid rise and proving she belongs among the sport’s elite.
In July 2026 she teamed up with Martina Calvo. In their second tournament together they beat Triay and Brea in the London P1 final, and Calvo, at 18, became the youngest champion in the history of top-level padel. Fernández ended the season as a world champion with Spain in Doha.
Fernández is very family-oriented and is especially appreciative of her mother, Alicia, who is always supporting her through her padel journey. “I wouldn’t know how to repay her for all she has done for me,” she says.
In the video below, Claudia Fernández shows the world why she’s the future of padel:
5 min
Claudia Fernández shakes up the padel world
With the support of loved ones, Claudia Fernández is showing the world why she’s the future of the sport.
17
Carolina Navarro
A true pioneer of the sport, Carolina Navarro held the No.1 spot for nine consecutive years, helping to elevate padel on a global scale. Born in Málaga in 1976, she’s known for her grace under pressure and tactical mastery. She retired at the end of 2025 and now coaches Spain’s women’s team, which won a seventh straight world title in Doha in 2026. She remains a symbol of excellence and longevity in women’s padel.
18
Icíar Montes
Icíar Montes is one of the game’s most influential figures. Born in Madrid in 1974, she won nine world championships and was renowned for her calm demeanour and brilliant defensive skills. Since retiring, she’s become a respected coach and ambassador, continuing to shape padel from behind the scenes.
Watch the top padel players live on Red Bull TV
Find more information on all tournaments, including ticketing, match schedules, current scores, player updates and all the latest news on the Premier Padel website.
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