À 42 years, Marta Marrero is preparing to argue what should be his last season on the circuit Premier Padel. After an impressive career marked in particular by having been world number 1, a 2016 with Alejandra Salazar and 2019 with Martita Ortega, the former tennis player who played Roland-Garros and Wimbledon before converting to padel is preparing to to bow out.

In an interview with Relief, the Canarian returns to his last year of competition, to maternity, Its doubts about continuing his career, and the evolution of the circuit.

A return to the circuit more complicated than expected

After announcing his retirement in 2022 become mom, many thought that Marta Marrero would not return to competition. However, in June 2023, she decided to make her big comeback, despite the physical and economic requirement that it represented.

"I had a much better preseason this time around.Last year I wasn't able to prepare as much as I would have liked, but this time I worked really hard. It's been years since I've trained this much.. "

A promising start with Aranza Osoro, but a difficult separation

Upon her return to the circuit, she formed a duo with Aranza Osoro, with whom she reaches the quarter-finals in Bordeaux from their first tournament together. An encouraging start that made him believe in a competitive project, before Osoro decides to change partners to aim for the Top 8.

“I understood his decision. She wanted to qualify for the Master Final, and playing with me complicated her chances.. I think we could have gone further, but we needed time and pace. After this separation, the results were more complicated, and I finished the year with doubts.”

Uncertainties about what's next... before a final challenge with Virginia Riera

This difficult end to the season pushes her to question herself: should it continue in 2025? With his family and his daughter Flavia, logistics became a real challenge.

“I hesitated for a long time whether to continue. The season is very demanding, with a lot of traveling, and I was wondering if it was definitely worth continuing. Finally, I decided to try for another year.”

She then mentions her plan to play with Virginia Riera, an experienced player who could enable it to be more competitive. “I wanted to play with Virginia for a while, but she couldn't last year. I was way down in the rankings, so convincing higher-ranked players was tough. Finally, she accepted and we had a good feeling on the pitch."

The challenge of reconciling padel and motherhood

If returning to competition after a long break was already a sports challenge, manage your career with a little girl under two years old was even more so. Marrero recounts in particular the difficulties encountered while traveling with Flavia on almost all tournaments.

"I have always wanted to take my daughter with me, but it required a huge organization. My husband couldn't travel with us, so a nanny helped me. I needed someone to take care of her during my training sessions and matches. It was a real logistical challenge. "

She also evokes the difficulties of being a mother on the circuit, especially during the period when it was breastfeeding. "At first, she asked me all the time, and as soon as I finished a match, I would run to feed her. Sometimes the matches lasted more than two hours, which complicated everything. I even found myself having to go and express my milk in the toilets in the middle of a competition.. "

A circuit that is not yet adapted to playing mothers

According to Marrero, The circuit could do more to support players who have become mothers. “I had some help, but I also encountered difficulties. For example, I had to ask local mothers to lend me a stroller during certain tournaments.”

She also highlights the timetable problem : “I have sometimes been programmed very late matches, which complicates everything. I have to follow my daughter's rhythm, and at my place, we go to sleep at 21:30 p.m.. "

She also mentions other players involved, such as Léa Godallier and Giulia Sussarello, and regrets that the circuit is not yet adapted to this reality.

A financial investment with little return

Marta Marrero is very clear on the financial situation of padel players, claiming that If a player does not regularly reach at least the quarter-finals, she loses money..

"I lost money playing this season. You have to pay for travel, accommodation, and more. I had an additional cost traveling with my daughter and nanny. Professional padel requires a lot of expense, and the gains do not always follow.”

She also campaigns for an increase in prize money in the women's tournament, emphasizing the gap with men and the fact that many players will not be able to sustain themselves financially in the long term.

Last season before retirement?

Marrero announces that 2025 should be his last year on the circuit, explaining that she wants devote oneself to one's family.

"I think that this will be my last season. Flavia is going to be two and a half, and I want her to have a more stable life.I am 42 years old, I want to enjoy my family and devote myself to my personal projects. "

She hopes to finish in beauty, with a good level of play and why not a final tournament. “If I could finish in competing in the Master Final in Barcelona, At my house, it would be a dream. "

An example for future generations

Marrero hopes that his journey will serve as an example to other players, and proves thata career should not end at 30. “We have long been told that high-level sport stopped early, but I think that players can continue after 40 years if they are well maintained. Look Ana Catarina Nogueira, she runs more than some young people! I hope others will follow this path.”

A final challenge alongside Virginia Riera

On the sporting front, she hopes fight to the end with Virginia Riera. “We will begin like pair #10 et Our goal is to reach the Master Final. It would be a huge success. "

At the dawn of this final season, Marta Marrero is about to to bow out, but one thing is certain: his legacy in padel will remain indelible.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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