At 28 years, Paula Josemaría is already a women's padel legend. World number one with Ari Sánchez, the Spaniard has become one of the most iconic faces on the circuit. In an interview with the media Brand, she speaks frankly about her career, her dreams, and her desire to make history beyond the headlines.

The pressure of high level: “I don’t think about the ranking, but about myself”

First world pair since 2023, Josemaría and Sánchez were criticized at the beginning of the year after some defeats. But they knew how to bounce back:

“The media often focuses on what's new, not what's lasting. We continue to put on a show, to perform with passion.”

On the fact of stay on top :

“Being number one is a permanent pressureEvery match, they want to beat us. I'm taking it well, because I focus on myself first, not on the ranking. I'm maybe in the best moment of my career."

The circuit, an emotional elevator

Paula doesn't shy away from difficult moments like long periods of doubt. The hardest part? The defeat at Final Master salary. Gemma Triay et Alejandra Salazar :

“We gave everything, and losing so close to the goal was very hard. I spent a week and a half without being able to sleep. Looking back, it made me grow.”

Despite everything, she also keeps good memories, especially her most beautiful titles with a particular attachment to stadiums filled with history :

“Playing at Roland Garros, it was magical. I was watching this tournament on TV with my father. When I walked onto the court, I said to Ari: Do you realize where we are?

The future of padel and his personal ambitions

Paula wants to see padel grow in iconic places like Roland Garros or Wimbledon and she even keeps the dream of a olympic sportThe Spanish woman sees beyond the titles speaking about his career:

“My childhood dream was to be number one. Now I want leave a trace. May I be remembered for my game, my attitude, my passion. I would like to change the way we see women's padel a little bit.”

Sánchez and Josemaría, queens of Valladolid and world number 1 again
Credit Premier Padel

A unique complicity with Ari Sanchez

“We form one of the pairs the most durable of the circuit. It's beautiful in such a demanding world. We have our quirks and our differences, but we know how to manage them. We are not not fusional, but we function."

And on the importance of personal relationships in a team with a very particular philosophy, which can go against what some players express:

“We can well play without being friends, if the project is solid. But it takes compatibility in the game and respect. The goal is to get the best out of everyone.”

A strong voice for women's padel

Both lucid and passionate, Paula Josemaría is much more than a champion. She is a figure of world padel, aware of the'impact that she can have on future generationsHis message is clear: to win, yes. But above all to inspire.

Teo Vieau

He discovered padel in 2016 in Nantes and quickly became attached to the game, even climbing to 474th place in France. Commentator on Padel Mag TV, he covers the various tournaments on the French circuit as well as international tournaments organized in France!