It is difficult to talk about the pioneers of padel without thinking of Carolina NavarroA true sports icon, the Spaniard of Swedish origin has made history by remaining nine consecutive years world number one and winning seven world champion titles. After more than thirty years of padel, Malagueña announced that 2025 will be his last season as a professional player.

At 49, she is preparing to experience a year rich in emotions, between farewell to the competition and new challenges.

One last lap before retirement

Even though the decision to end her career has been made, she admits that it remains difficult to fully realize:
“I haven't fully absorbed that this is my last season yet, but I know it's the right time to close this chapter.”

She acknowledges that he will miss the competition myGus, in particular the adrenaline of the matches, but prefers to retire with a sense of duty accomplished.

When asked what the most significant moment of her career is, she doesn't hesitate:
“The 2006 World Cup. I had suffered two cruciate ligament tears and, just seven months after the second injury, I managed to come back and win. It was an unforgettable tournament.”

Women's padel on the rise

If padel has evolved enormously since its beginnings, Carolina Navarro is convinced that the women's circuit has never been more competitive :
“Today, women's padel is stronger than ever. The matches are physical, very tactical and spectacular, even when they last three hours.”

However, she stresses that progress still needs to be made to ensure equitable development of the women's circuit. Among the main challenges, she cites in particular:

  • Price equality between men and women, still far from being reached. “I would like the rewards to be the same for men and women”
  • Financial difficulties of lower-ranked players, who are struggling to finance their trips on the international circuit.

Another topic of debate: the question of the duration of women's matches, sometimes criticized, and the proposals to modify the rules (golden point, super tie-break). Here again, Carolina Navarro defends an egalitarian vision:
“If there are to be changes, they should be for both men and women. In the men's game, too, some matches last three hours and no one complains.”

A strong commitment to adapted sport

Beyond her professional career, Carolina Navarro is involved actively in the development of padel for people with disabilities. With the initiative “Palaces for everyone”, she recently harvested 8 000 euros to help young people in difficulty.

In its Padel school in Malaga, she frames 80 young suffering from various disabilities (autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.). Its objective: offer them free access to sport and allow them to travel without financial constraints.

“We want them to have the same opportunities as others. My role today is to give them maximum visibility.”

A legend who will remain close to padel

Si Carolina Navarro to hang up her racket in 2025, his influence on padel will remain immense. His exploits, his competitive mentality and his commitment to sport make her an essential reference.

“I am still the same little girl who started playing tennis in Malaga at the age of seven. Keeping my feet on the ground is what matters most to me.”

A departure with head held high, but an intact passion for padel.

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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