Carolina Navarro, Spain's new captain: "We'll have to leave some players out"

Legend of world padel Carolina Navarro is opening a new chapter. A few months after ending her professional career, the former world number one has become the new coach of the Spanish women's national team. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo during the Padel At the World Summit in Barcelona, the Andalusian looked back on her retirement, the spectacular evolution of padel and her new role a few months before the World Championship.

A career that coincides with the explosion of padel

After more than 30 years of career Carolina Navarro understands better than anyone how far padel has come. The Spaniard still remembers the beginnings, with wooden snowshoes modest clubs and infrastructure far below current standards.

Today, sport fills arenas like Roland Garros or Foro Italico It attracts thousands of spectators and brings together brands from all over the world. An evolution that continues to impress him:

"I thought padel would grow, but not at this speed."

She also recalled having organised at the time one of the first international padel trade shows, well before the current explosion of the sector.

A new life, still in padel

Although she retired from competition last November, Carolina Navarro never really left the circuit. The former champion now works closely with Joma participates in events, clinics and training courses, while remaining very involved in the development of the sport.

But the big news is obviously her appointment as the new captain of the Spanish women's team, replacing Icíar Montes.

"Representing one's country is the greatest thing for an athlete."

A role she welcomes with great pride… but also with a certain amount of pressure.

A Spanish team of an impressive standard

Carolina Navarro already knows that her initial choices will be difficult. Spain has an exceptional depth of talent in the women's game, and only eight players will be selected for the next World Cup.

"Spain has incredible players, which means we'll have to leave some girls out."

When questioned about the case of Alejandra Salazar With the former world number one set to retire at the end of the season, the new national coach prefers to remain cautious. She hopes to be able to count on the former world number one, but believes it is still too early to finalize the roster.

She also confirmed that to date, despite questions surrounding the Qatar Major, the The World Championship should still take place in Doha .

Carolina Navarro, the new coach of Spain: a legend takes over

Spain and Argentina still on top

According to Carolina Navarro, Spain and Argentina The two major nations of world padel remain today. But she sees other teams progressing rapidly.

She cites in particular Italy, Portugal, France and Belgium like the countries closest to the very highest international level.

A peaceful retirement

Unlike some former players, Carolina Navarro insists she doesn't miss competition terribly. She continues to play for fun, but says she has found a new balance off the tour.

The Spaniard also looks back emotionally on her last season, marked by numerous tributes. Her farewell to Málaga, her city, remains the most powerful moment:

"That's when I truly felt it was my retirement."

She explains that she wanted to choose the right moment to stop herself, with the goal of ending her career at Acapulco , where modern padel was born.

Carolina Navarro, the pioneer of women's padel, says goodbye to her career: "it's the beginning of something new"

A pioneer who above all wants to leave a human image

Despite her impressive list of achievements, Carolina Navarro maintains that this isn't what truly matters. More than titles or trophies, she wants to be recognized for the values she has instilled throughout her career.

"Titles are all well and good, but in the end, what remains is the person."

A speech reflecting the image of someone who has marked several generations of players and accompanied the evolution of women's padel to its new global dimension.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!