To take his game to the next level, does Mike Yanguas need a true finisher by his side? Padel Magazine

Mike Yanguas and Coki Nieto have decided to reunite. The two Spaniards are registered together for the Madrid P1, where they are expected to form the fourth pair in the draw. A logical decision from a points perspective and reassuring from a sporting one. But is this really the kind of partnership Yanguas needs to take his game to the next level?

The issue goes beyond the case of Coki Nieto alone. In his recent partnerships with players capable of constructing, defending, and extending rallies, Yangas has sometimes seemed frustrated when his partner fails to finish points with a high serve. With both Franco Stupaczuk and Nieto, certain sequences gave the impression that he expected his left-handed partner to be able to finish points more quickly.

So, could another profile suit him better? That of a true striker, like Aimar Goñi, or that of a former teammate like Javi Garrido.

The return with Nieto, a logical choice

The reunion of the Yanguas/Nieto duo comes as no surprise. The two played together throughout the entire 2025 season and finished it ranked fourth in the world. Their consistency allowed them to reach numerous semi-finals and remain firmly established behind the top teams on the circuit.

However, their record revealed a significant limitation: despite 41 wins in 62 matches on the circuit Premier PadelThey had not won any titles and had not managed to reach a final.

Yanguas himself had identified part of the problem during the season. In an interview given during Málaga P1, the Andalusian admitted that they had lacked "that touch of madness" and "a little extra aggression".

Returning with Nieto allows them to maintain an advantageous position in the hierarchy and immediately resume playing with established routines. However, if their game remains identical to that of 2025, the same limitations could logically reappear.

A frustration already visible with Stupaczuk

The project formed with Franco Stupaczuk was specifically intended to bring more explosiveness. The Argentinian possesses superior acceleration compared to Nieto, excellent speed of movement, and numerous offensive options.

Stupaczuk, however, is not a finisher comparable to Arturo Coello, Leo Augsburger, or Alejandro Galán. He can do a lot of damage from the top, but he also sometimes forces his return from difficult positions. When the ball comes back, the pair can then find themselves disorganized.

This situation became particularly evident during Málaga P1's quarter-final against Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno. Navarro repeatedly managed to read and block Stupaczuk's shots. Meanwhile, Yanguas displayed increasingly visible irritation. Exchanges between the two teammates became rare, and communication on the bench was almost nonexistent.

It would be an oversimplification to attribute their separation solely to these contested remates. The pair had also experienced a decline in results, physical difficulties, and an early exit in their first tournament in London. But these sequences highlighted a possible divergence: Yanguas sometimes seems to expect his partner to finish a point that he is still trying to construct.

Yanguas is not an ordinary right-back.

Mike Yanguas, however, possesses considerable power himself. Standing at 1,89 m, he is capable of covering a lot of ground, accelerating on the volley, and finishing over the cross-court line. His profile is more offensive than that of a right-sided player solely tasked with organizing and defending.

But starting from the right side doesn't always offer him the same finishing opportunities as a left-handed player. When his partner doesn't force the opponents back with the threat of his smash, Yangas sometimes has to simultaneously handle the build-up, covering the diagonal, and part of the finish.

The presence of a big hitter would change the entire dynamic of the pairing. Opponents would be forced to defend deeper and be more selective with their lobs. Even when not finishing immediately, a player capable of hitting from deep can force a short ball or disrupt the opposing defense.

Yanguas would then have more space to use his interceptions, his speed at the net and his quality of hand, without constantly having to seek the decisive acceleration himself.

Aimar Goñi, the almost ideal complement on paper?

Aimar Goñi perfectly embodies this profile. At 20 years old, the Navarrese player stands 1,90 m tall and plays on the left wing. His powerful shot is already one of the most impressive weapons on the circuit. He himself explains that this power is a natural quality he has possessed since childhood.

Partnered with Edu Alonso, Goñi reached the semi-finals of the Asunción P2 as well as the quarter-finals in Málaga and London in 2026. He now occupies the 36th place in the FIP ranking, the best ranking of his young career.

Tactically, his partnership with Yanguas would make sense. The Andalusian could provide stability, defend, and build from the right, while Goñi would take charge of much of the high ball and finishing.

This choice, however, would carry several risks. Goñi still lacks experience at the highest level and remains committed to a developing project with Edu Alonso. Partnering with him would also force Yanguas to relinquish his number 4 seed position and face the top pairs much earlier.

Goñi could therefore represent an excellent complement to the game, but not necessarily the most advantageous choice in the short term.

Garrido, a precedent worth watching

The other option leads to a player Yanguas knows perfectly well: Javi Garrido.

The two Spaniards had made a strong start to the 2024 season by reaching the final of the Qatar Major. They successively eliminated Juan Lebrón and Alejandro Galán in the round of 16, then Franco Stupaczuk and Martín Di Nenno in the semi-finals. Garrido, in particular, played a major role thanks to his aggressiveness and his ability to finish strong.

Their run ended abruptly against Coello and Tapia, who won 6-0, 6-2 in the final. The partnership was subsequently unable to replicate that exceptional week.

A reunion with Garrido would offer Yanguas a powerful partner, already familiar with his style of play and capable of taking responsibility for the rebound. However, the Cordoba native remains an inconsistent player, capable of experiencing periods of great dominance as well as much more fragile spells.

This association would probably have a higher offensive ceiling than Yanguas/Nieto, but also fewer guarantees in terms of consistency.

The problem may not stem solely from the partner.

Finding a powerful hitter wouldn't solve everything, however. Even the best rebounders find their shots come back, especially in slow conditions. Coello, Galán, and Augsburger also have to accept rebuilding the point after a defended smash.

If Yanguas gets frustrated as soon as his partner fails to finish a high ball, a change of approach won't be enough. The Andalusian will also need to better control his reactions and remain committed to the next point. He himself acknowledged this recently when responding to criticism about his behavior: "Attitude must be non-negotiable."

Mike Yanguas responds to criticism of his behavior: “Attitude must be non-negotiable”

The real question, therefore, isn't whether Coki Nieto is good enough to play with Yanguas. His results, consistency, and ranking leave no doubt about that. Rather, it's about determining whether their respective strengths give them the necessary tools to consistently beat the top two or three pairs in the world.

Madrid as the first revealer

In Madrid, Yanguas and Nieto won't be starting from scratch. They know their organization, their habits, and their strengths. Their challenge will be to offer a more aggressive version than the one seen in 2025.

Nieto may need to be more selective with his shots and prioritize building attacks when he's not in a favorable position. Yangas, for his part, will need to shoulder a significant portion of the attacking pressure while preventing frustration from setting in when the point drags on.

Nieto's choice is one of stability and ranking. Goñi would have represented potential and power. Garrido, one of a proven but more unpredictable complementarity.

Yangas may need a great finisher to fully unleash his game. But before looking elsewhere, he will have to demonstrate that he can develop a partnership that has already given him consistency, without yet allowing him to reach a final.

The first answer may not come from the result obtained in Madrid, but from their reaction after the first countered remate: rebuild together or let frustration take over again.

Antoine Tricolet

I discovered the Padel I stumbled into Spain at a campsite. I was instantly hooked; passionate about padel, I follow international and regional news with the same excitement as the sport itself.