During this Greenweez Paris Major 2023, we had the chance to speak with the phenomenon Jon Sanz. At the microphone of Padel Magazine the native of Pamplona confided in his beginnings in the padel but also on his adventure with world number 1 Alejandro Galan as well as his relationship with his current partner Jorge “Coki” Nieto.

“From a young age, I wanted to become a professional player”

“I started playing padel with my parents. I was 10 years old and I practiced football but I saw that I had good skills. My father told me that I was not bad. So I started training more and more and signing up for competitions. I loved it and I quickly had this desire to become a professional player.

“It was my mother who started the padel in the family. Then my father, but he played very badly (laughs). I followed the movement with them but my level was low to say the least. It was when I started training that my level evolved in a positive direction.”

“I don't think there's a moment when you think you have the level to do something in a sport. I think things happen when they happen. You work hard, your level increases but you are not aware of your way of evolving. At least I speak for myself, I was not aware of that. However, when I was 18 I could still see a change because I was playing on the professional circuit and I was starting to win matches.

“On the track I transcend myself”

"I have beaucoup changed partners because at the time it was normal not to have a fixed partner. I don't think I'm a complicated boy for my partner on the track. I often get angry with myself and my teammate may not like it, but I don't consider myself a bad partner.

“On the track I transcend myself because I feel things on the 20×10 that I will not necessarily feel outside and that is what makes me able to release so much energy.”

“I think I am a new player”

“I quite agree with that, indeed there is a before and after Alejandro Galan. Playing alongside a number 1 makes you learn a lot of things. Thanks to his support we managed to win some games and that's what gives you confidence.”

“I think I have become a new player since my association with Ale. Already before joining forces with him, when I was with Coki or Javi Garrido, I had achieved some good results, but it is true that by joining forces with Ale, I made a big leap forward, and apparently it shows.”

“Coki makes me play without pressure”

“I would say Coki has a pretty similar game to mine. We have good physical abilities, we run a lot on the track. When I was younger I loved his style of play and I always knew we could make a good team. And I don't think I was wrong."

“At the moment, I don't think that with Coki we can become number 1 because there are a lot of pairs better than us. He makes me play without any pressure because he is a very good defensive player and that helps me a lot so that I can let go and make my shots."

“I think I lack a bit of experience but above all I have to work on my mind to be able to be more decisive at the right time, that's what the best ranked players know how to do."

MADRID SPAIN JULY 20 Madrid Premier Padel 2023 at Madrid Arena on July 20 2023 in Madrid Spain Photo by Silvestre SzpylmaQuality Sport ImagesMadrid Premier Padel

Pairs that last less

“I think we are in an era where prize money is more important, there are also more tournaments, so more travel and it adds more stress because players spend more time together. I would say that's one of the reasons why pairs last less than before because it's harder for them.”

“I would like to finish this season alongside Coki but also continue next year with him, unless Galan calls me. To be honest with you, if that were to happen I would think about it a lot."

Sebastien Carrasco

Future naturopath and passionate about padel, Seb is the health/food gentleman of Padel Magazine. He juggles between pala, quinoa and essential oils. For almost two years now he has been dealing with the news of the little yellow ball with the same passion.

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