Martin Di Nenno, one of the most recognized players in padel, shared with beINPORTS His thoughts on his career, his ambitions, and how he separates competition from friendship. He reflects on the challenges he faced after a serious car accident, an incident that could have ended his career.

Fame

Padel has been expanding rapidly and gaining popularity worldwide in recent years, although it is already firmly established in Spain and Argentina, where it is one of the most popular sports. Premier Padel is increasingly broadcast on television in various countries and organizes tournaments in new destinations, such as the United States with the Miami P1The best players see their notoriety grow alongside the rise of padel. Martin Di Nenno Is he now recognized on the street?

“No… well, if you're just saying that because a few people asked me for a photo recently, okay. In a padel club, it's normal, but on the street… yes, people are playing more and more, so maybe they recognize me. But honestly, I'm far from being a star who gets arrested all the time, very far from that! Maybe others experience it, but not me.”

Change of partner and friendship

Since padel is played by two players on a court, changes of partners can take place several times during a player's career. This is the case for Martin Di Nenno, who, after having associated with Juan lebron in 2024, found Javi Garrido to start the new season Premier Padel, before finally sharing the track with Juan Tello from the Brussels P2.

Martin Di Nenno / Juan Tello, it’s official!

“It's strange at first. You've spent a lot of time with this person, you've created a connection. But padel is work. And you get used to it. Once you're on the court, your goal is to win.”

As a top player, is it possible to have genuine friendships with other rival players or ex-teammates?

“Yes, absolutely. I make a big distinction. I can very well have a friend in front of me, want to beat him on the field, and then leave everything there. What happens on the field stays on the field. Everyone has their own personality, and I know how to separate things. It's clear in my head.”

His arrival in Spain

Martin Di Nenno arrived in Spain at a young age, like many other Argentines, to pursue his dream of playing at the highest level. Spain, being the country with the largest number of players and available fields, offered the ideal opportunity to progress. This radical change was a real turning point for the Argentine, who was able to develop both sportingly and personally.

“I've changed a lot. At 18, I went to Spain alone, far from my family, my friends, everything. It forced me to grow up very quickly, to change a lot of things in my routines, in my mentality. The first few years were hard, but if I had to do it all over again, I would.”

Di Nenno grew up in a padel family and environment, which he had to leave when he moved to Spain.

“I'm lucky to come from a padel family. My parents have owned a club for 25 years, and I'm 28 now, so I grew up on a court. But going out on my own was a different life: learning to cook, living with four or five people in a small one-room apartment... it was a joyful mess, but they're still fun memories.”

His accident

Martin Di Nenno suffered a serious car accident in January 2016, along with his two friends who lost their lives. Di Nenno miraculously survived, but with many after-effects: two broken legs, ten days in intensive care and a month of bed rest. A diagnosis that left him with virtually no chance of playing at the highest level.

“The doctors told me I might have trouble walking again. And they weren't wrong: I still have pain and after-effects. In fact, my nickname is “Rengo” (lame), but I say it with affection.”

But the Argentinian has impressive mental strength and is working hard to reach the highest level after this accident.

“I'm very stubborn, very positive. Even if people say no, I still try. I was able to rebuild myself, even though I have pain from the fractures. But I'm very happy to continue playing, to feel competitive; it's essential for us players.”

A tragic event that inevitably changed his mentality, his priorities and his vision:

“I've seen a lot of interviews, not just with athletes, but also with other people who have experienced very powerful events. And they all say the same thing: it makes you click. It's a shame that you have to experience this kind of shock to change, but that's how it is. Today, the Martin Di Nenno 28 years old is very different from 18. I've changed a lot, I've learned to live with it, to carry what I've experienced in my life's backpack. And today, when something bad happens to me, I put things into perspective much more."

Today, he is evolving in the Top 10 worldwide padel on the circuit Premier Padel, world champion in 2024 with his Argentinian selection. Di Nenno begins the rest of the season with his favorite phrase: “Without EGO to Exit” (Without ego towards success).

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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