Santiago MONTENEGRO RODRIGUEZ , famous Spanish player of the Parisian club Le Padel Club, fan of World Padel Tour looks back on the best players on the professional circuit and attempts mixed associations between players.

Men's and women's padel are the same sport: same court, same rules, same referees, often the same coaches... Most tournaments in the World Padel Tour are played as women and men. We enjoy the boys 'games as much as the girls' games. However, there are some notable differences in the way the games develop between them, mainly due to the boys' greater strength and their ability to finish points with powerful hitting.

Anyway, I tried to do an exercise: to associate players of the World Padel Tour according to their characteristics.

A game to which you are invited so do not hesitate to give me feedback and share your opinions.

 CAROLINA NAVARRO - 1976 - # 15 /   FERNANDO BELASTEGUIN - 1979 - # 7 

Both have been world number 1 for many years. They are part of  vétérans  of the circuit with quarantine on the meter. Despite this, they maintain a spectacular physical form. Both are players  stable with their partner  : Bela spent many years with Juan Martín Díaz and then with Lima. Carolina has been with Cecilia Reiter for many years.

 PAULA JOSEMARIA - 1996 - # 5 /   AGUSTIN TAPIA - 1999 - # 8 

Agustín Tapia and Paula Josemaría are the players of tomorrow (and already well established in the top 10). Despite their youth, they have already won WPT tournaments. Agustín is also the youngest winner of a men's tournament (20 years old). They are aggressive in their game, creative and are in a clear progression phase. We will certainly see them frequently at the end of the stages of the World Padel Tour.

 PATTY LLAGUNO - 1985 - # 10 /   SANYO (CARLOS DANIEL) GUTIÉRREZ - 1984 - # 5 

These are players who have a   magic wand instead of a racket : they invent trajectories that no one can imagine, their trips to the track more often than not become winning points. Without being very powerful players, they have the perfect technique to get the ball out “in threes” in conditions that surprise the rivals. Each year, they help complete the video library with spectacular points.

 BEA GONZALEZ - 2001 - # 13 /   JUAN LEBRON - 1995 - # 2 

Bea and Juan have a greater age difference compared to previous associations. Their positions in the ranking are to date also quite different. Why do I offer them as a pair? Perhaps these are the players  more aggressive  of the circuit and they like to take risks. They are spectacular players for the public. The flip side is that they sometimes  tendency to rush . If they manage to add a dose of patience to their game, they become invincible. In addition both are Andalusians!

 ARI SANCHEZ - 1997 - # 3 /   PABLO LIMA - 1986 - # 4 

Ari and Pablo are the perfect companions we would like to have on the field: they make very few mistakes in a match. They are counted on the fingers of one hand. They are not the most spectacular. But they  never miss a point . Security is their main characteristic. Not surprisingly, the two are sponsored by an insurance company.

 GEMMA TRIAY - 1992 - # 8 /   ALEJANDRO GALAN - 1.996 - # 3 

Gemma and Alejandro are two tall players (1,73 m for her and 1,86 m for him). When they are at the net, they are very difficult to pass because of their height. But the most remarkable common characteristic for me is that I think they are both padel players  the most elegant  of the circuit.

 MARTITA ORTEGA - 1997 - # 2 /   MAXI SANCHEZ - 1986 - # 5 

Marta Ortega hides a  spectacular physical preparation . I think Maxi and her are the strongest physically and mentally in a 5 hour padel match.

 MARTA MARRERO - 1983 - # 1 /   PAQUITO NAVARRO - 1.989 - # 1 

Those are the  UNO numbers  ultimate. Marta Marrero held this position with two different partners (Alejandra Salazar and Marta Ortega). Paquito reached first place in the world playing last year with Juan Lebrón, and this year with Pablo Lima. Marta and Paquito are two very powerful and spectacular players. Finally, the two do their best  reverse  a special weapon: Marta with the terrible two-handed backhand stroke (does anyone else use it?) and Paquito frequently uses the backhand service (a feature shared with Carolina Navarro).

Do not hesitate to complete or modify the list: I have not mentioned players like Alejandra Salazar or the Sánchez Alayeto twins. Your offers?

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