Marc Sintes, five titles in 2026 and the top 50 now within reach

At just 20 years old, Marc Sintes is making steady progress, quietly but with undeniable consistency. Winner of his fifth FIP Tour title of the season in Espoo, the Menorcan player has just reached his career-high ranking. Now 53rd in the world, he is closing in on the top 50 as he embarks on a new chapter in his journey alongside José Antonio Diestro.

Five tracks created far from the big stages

Marc Sintes' season was not built on a single isolated result. On the contrary, it was based on an accumulation of performances in tournaments less high-profile than Premier Padel, but essential for moving up the rankings.

Together with Daniel Santigosa, the player from Maó first won the FIP Silver in Caen in January. The two Spaniards then confirmed their form at the FIP Bronze in Elche, where they didn't drop a single set, and then in Latina before securing another Silver title in Höganäs, Sweden.

Four titles in just a few months, won on different surfaces and in different contexts. This consistency allowed him to accumulate points while playing numerous high-stakes matches.

The separation from Santigosa in July did not interrupt this momentum. During the summer break of Premier PadelSintes occasionally teamed up with the young Juan "Coquito" Zamora to compete in the FIP Silver tournament in Espoo, Finland. A week that culminated in a fifth trophy in 2026.

In Espoo, a victory that also tells the story of his progress

Sintes and Zamora didn't just dominate an easy draw. As the number 2 seeds, they had to get through three consecutive matches going to three sets before reaching the final.

After eliminating Hugo Lorenzo and Daniel Maldonado, they also had to battle against Jaume Romera and Nacho Moragues, then overturn Arnau Ayats and Emilio Sánchez after losing the first set in the semi-final.

The final was much more straightforward. Facing Matteo Sargolini and Bentahor Espino, the Spanish pair prevailed 6-2, 6-3. This victory earns Sintes 80 points and validates their decision to take advantage of the break. Premier Padel to continue playing.

This strategy is paying off. In the FIP ranking update of August 24, the Menorcan sailor climbed four places to reach 53rd in the world rankings with 1,176 points. He also occupies 41st place in the Race 2026 standings.

From the FIP Tour to Premier PadelThere is still a hurdle to overcome.

Sintes' journey illustrates one of the realities of the current circuit. For players on the cusp of the top 50, FIP tournaments are not simply a parallel calendar. They represent a way to secure points, improve entry list positions, and gradually bypass certain qualifying rounds.

But this success now raises another question: can Sintes transform its dominance in the FIP Bronze and Silver categories into deeper results in the higher categories? Premier Padel ?

The right-handed player has already shown he can compete in major tournaments. With Santigosa, he notably reached the round of 16 at the Valencia P1 and regularly featured in the main draws. Since July, he has chosen to continue his rise with José Antonio Diestro.

The two men won their first match together at the P1 tournament in Pretoria against Thomas Leygue and Pablo Sánchez Vicente, 6-2, 6-3, before falling in the next round to Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno. This provided a first glimpse of what this partnership between a rapidly improving 20-year-old and a long-established 36-year-old partner on the international circuit could produce.

Madrid as the next big revealer

After this victorious interlude with Zamora, Sintes will face Diestro at Madrid P1. Registered as the 23rd pair, they should enter directly into the main draw, whose matches will begin on September 1st at the Movistar Arena.

The context will be different from that of Espoo. It will no longer be a question of starting among the favorites of a FIP Silver, but of immediately facing pairs capable of aiming for the round of 16 or the quarterfinals of a P1.

This is precisely where the challenge now lies. Marc Sintes no longer needs to prove he can win on the FIP Tour. Five titles in eight months and his best career ranking already demonstrate this. He now needs to translate this progress into consistent performances against the best pairs in the world.

At 20 years old and just three places outside the top 50, the Menorcan has nonetheless built a solid foundation. Without any spectacular announcements or artificial ascents, he progresses tournament by tournament. Madrid may well reveal whether this quiet rise is ready to become much more visible.

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.