He was a teenager when he left his family to bet everything on padel. Even today, Juan Lebrón still has vivid memories of that decisive period. In an intimate interview, he reflects on his formative years, his sacrifices, and what he owes to those around him.

A departure for Madrid like a leap into the unknown

At just 17 years old, Juan Lebrón left his family home to settle in Madrid. A conscious decision, almost vital to his career.

"I knew I had to go there to succeed. In Madrid, there are the best coaches, the best players, the best structures."

Aware of the risks, the young player bets everything. He joins a sports boarding school where Real Madrid hopefuls, tennis players, and other top athletes live together. Far from his loved ones, he finds a new form of freedom in this environment.

"The first two months, I missed my parents. But then I adjusted perfectly. We had a lot of freedom, especially for the athletes."

Initially a regular student, Lebrón gradually became obsessed with training. He began skipping classes to spend more time on the court.

"I thought I could do more with padel. I stopped going to school to train more. That's how I saw things."

A difficult choice to get his family to accept:
"My parents worked their whole lives to ensure their children could go to school. Of course, they were a little disappointed at first. But I was convinced."

An early sacrifice, a journey strewn with doubts

Juan Lebrón doesn't hide the fact that this path has sometimes been tough. The transition from juniors to adults was a shock.

"When you leave the youth categories, you face reality. Success isn't for everyone."

But he's hanging in there. His skill is improving. And above all, he's not setting any limits.

"I had a nerve that others didn't have. In training, I wanted to win against everyone. Even my partner. I never gave up."

The taste for combat, everywhere, all the time:
"I didn't want to miss a single exercise. Not even the warm-up. It still stays with me today."

A teenage life far from his family, but not alone

During his two years in Madrid, Lebrón was housed in a school that promoted the integration of athletes. There, he met promising players, as well as a coaching staff that understood his needs.

"It was perfect for combining sports and studies. Although, after a while, I chose: it would be padel, 100%."

The young player continues to train, sometimes to the detriment of his lessons.

"At first, I was serious. But then I started skipping to stay on the slopes. I had found what I wanted to do with my life."

It also evokes a certain lightness:
"Honestly, I had a blast. I had freedom, I trained however I wanted... and I was well supported."

Juan Lebrón: “Galán let me down at the worst time”

Strong roots despite the distance

Even far from home, Juan Lebrón never forgets where he comes from. His family remains a pillar of strength. And his childhood memories often take him back to El Puerto de Santa María.

"I grew up in a house where we laughed a lot. I remember spending afternoons with my friends in the cellar. All fifteen of us would go down, make noise, and my father would come and chat with everyone."

His father, Matías, is still a reference in the village. A trusted man, respected by all.

“When I go back there, people still say to me: 'You're Matías's son, right?' And that makes me proud.”

More than a name, a transmission: that of work, honesty, and the freedom to choose one's path.

To watch the video in Spanish:

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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