Guest on Felipe's microphone for Energy Padel, Jon sanz, 10th player in the world, confides in his teammate for this new season, Momo Gonzalez. He also looks back on the surprise victory at Barcelona Final Master with Coki Nieto, beating the world number 1s in the final, and talks about his journey and those close to him.

His gang

The Spanish player from Pamplona is very attached to his loved ones and to his region, he who was notably honored in his city:

“My friends from the club Kingdom of the Padel told me they were going to name a piece of land after me. When they told me, I couldn't believe it. It was like an award, a thank you for everything I've accomplished, and for all the people who helped me get there. On the day of the inauguration, there were like 300 people! For a small town like Pamplona, it was crazy. I'm so grateful.”

He does not forget where he comes from, nor the sacrifices his parents made to allow him to evolve at the highest level:

“We come from a modest family. My father worked 12 hours a day, my mother accompanied me everywhere… I remember once in Madrid, we slept in the car to play a tournament, because we couldn't afford to sleep in a hotel.”

His time with Galán

In 2023, a decisive opportunity presents itself: Ale Galán uses Jon sanz to replace Juan Lebrón, injured. While he had just launched a new project with Coki Nieto, Sanz decides to put their collaboration on hold. A strong choice, which will profoundly change his trajectory, both on a sporting and mental level:

“Ale, at that moment, made me believe that we could beat everyone. He told me: 'I want to win.' […] I had a big tipping point. I started training very hard, very seriously. I'm a workaholic. I'm hyper-professional, too much so, and that helped me. It helped me believe in it, to become more professional.”

Also impressed by the professionalism of his teammate, this passage allowed him to become more rigorous in his work ethic:

“I remember the first tournament with Ale, it's very funny... I arrive at the hotel with my two small pots of supplements, my proteins, not much. And he arrives with a huge suitcase, he takes out the cryotherapy boots, […] everything well organized. I look at him, I look at my suitcase, and I say to myself: 'Now, I understand everything...' It made an impression on me. It taught me to be professional, really."

A collaboration that lasted several months, including a semi-final in Valladolid and a final at theValencia Open, beating the world number 1s Wall et Coello, before bowing to Stupa / Di Nenno in the final. One of the most beautiful memories of Sanz :

“The Barcelona Masters was huge. But I would also say the semi-finals at Valencia, with Ale (Galán). My first final. An incredible memory.”

Jon Sanz Galan in the final in Valencia
©WPT

Final Master

Un Final Master won by the Spanish to everyone's surprise Jon sanz et Coki Nieto, who were in difficulty before the tournament and who had decided to end their association at the end of the season:

“So to be honest, with Coki, we were coming out of a bad period. A bad run. Not catastrophic, but bad. It had been months since we had made it past the last sixteen. So, we had decided not to play together again before the Masters. I remember, it was a Friday evening, I was walking around Madrid, and Coki calls me, we talk, and we decide to stop.”

The Master of Barcelona begins with a victory in 3 sets against Stupa / Yanguas, then against Gonzalez / Alonso in the semi-final, before meeting the world number 1s Tapia / Coello, undefeated since July (47 wins in a row).

“The following week was the Masters. […] We go there to play well, without pressure. […] In the final, everyone is there: my friends, my family… it's crazy. I couldn't believe it. My parents, my friends, all in tears.”

A badly started final for the pair Sanz / Nieto, outsiders, led with two match points against them.

“We were losing 6-3 5-3. I look at my father and Rob, I tell them 'It's tough, man.' […] My trainer and my physiotherapist were about to leave for the station, and my agent tells them: 'Wait... something could happen.' And then we start to play better, really. Coki maintains an incredible level. I'm rising too. And we're winning. Incredible.”

First Master won for Jon sanz, and second title of the season after the Bordeaux P2.

“I was in shock. My whole family was there, everyone was crying. My friend Jano, Cristian, Gerard, my agent Save, my girlfriend… all there. It was crazy.”

Barcelona Finals - Nieto/Sanz eliminate Momo/Alonso: focus on the number 1s
Credit Premier Padel

His association with Momo Gonzalez

After parting from Coki Nieto, his teammate from last season, Jon sanz starts this new season in Premier Padel with Momo Gonzalez, the Spaniard, 12th player in the world.

"momo, he's a great guy. We make a good team with him Gabi too. He's super smiley, even when I miss three balls in a row. He surprises me a lot, in a good way. He reminds me a little Coki, very similar, on and off the field.”

An association that is finding its bearings after being eliminated in the round of 16 at the first tournament of the year, the Riyadh P1, before going on to three quarter-finals in Premier Padel, but no major wins against a pair from the world's top 10. But Sanz advocates patience:

“He's got a lot of class, incredible shots, physically super strong, very solid. Now we have to adapt. New partner, left-handed, new coach... It's a change. We have to be patient.”

Nicolas Fillaudeau

A big sports enthusiast and former tennis player, I discovered padel a few years ago without really focusing on it. Then I became addicted to this sport by practicing it and watching the premier padel matches. Looking forward to sharing the 2025 news with you!

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