Coquito Zamora: "I don't feel any pressure, it's an extra motivation"

Crowned European Junior Champion with Spain in Portugal, Juan "Coquito" Zamora confirms his status as a rising star in world padel. A few days after winning the continental title, the young Andalusian spoke to Sports world about his journey, his ambitions and the pressure that accompanies his rise.

A final, emotionally charged title for the youth category

At only 18 years, Coquito Zamora already has an impressive track record: U16 world champion, four-time Spanish champion and now European junior champion with La Roja.

This victory in Portugal has a special significance for the player born in Osuna, who may have played his last major championship in the youth categories.

“This title is a real bonus in this season. It started differently from previous ones, but I think it will be special. It was perhaps my last European Championship, my last youth tournament and my last competition with the Spanish national team. It's a huge honor and one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”

In the final, Spain dominated France to clinch the title. Despite the match already being decided in favor of La Roja, Zamora and Samuel Rivas concluded the job by beating Olivier Guy de Chamisso and Jérémy Robert , giving their team a third point.

The French U20 team finished as runners-up in the European Championship after their defeat against Spain in the final of the 2026 European Junior Championship.

The dream of the A selection

Having won almost everything in the youth categories, the next objective is already clear: to one day join the Spanish national team at the senior level.

"There is still a lot of work to do, but representing Spain at a senior World Championship would be a dream."

A logical ambition for a player considered for several seasons as one of the greatest talents of his generation.

"Team competitions are the best of the year."

Although padel remains a sport played in pairs, Zamora admits to having a soft spot for team competitions.

"For me, these are the best tournaments of the year. This is where you enjoy yourself the most and where you feel the team spirit the most. All the young players have been waiting for this week since the beginning of the season. It is, without a doubt, the best week of the year."

This statement perfectly illustrates the atmosphere experienced during this European week in Porto, where the best junior nations competed for the title. But above all, it's an opportunity to see the best young players from each nation compete during a full week of matches, where the prodigies of European padel are revealed and, for some, the future stars of the sport.

Coquito Zamora: "I don't feel any pressure, it's an extra motivation."

Premier Padel in the viewfinder

After his participation in the Premier Padel P2 of Valladolid The young Spaniard will continue his training at the highest level.

He notably obtained a wild card for the P1 of Malaga where he will play alongside Pablo Sánchez Vicente This tournament is bound to be special for the Andalusian, as it will take place just a few kilometers from his home. London P1 It is also among the events he hopes to play this summer.

"I would like to be able to play in all the tournaments. Malaga will definitely be special, as it's close to home. Last year, I had the chance to play in the main draw and I hope to relive that experience with the support of the public."

The controversy surrounding the FIP tournaments does not bother him.

When asked about the debates surrounding the presence of top-level players on the FIP circuit, a subject that regularly stirs up the world of padel, Zamora prefers to remain focused on his progress.

Still a second-year junior, he explains that his priority remains simple: to continue learning.

"My goal is to enjoy myself, train as hard as I can every day, and try to win all my matches. To win a tournament, you have to beat all your opponents. That's all I'm focused on."
Zamora and Jana Montes at the 2023 Junior World Championships

"Pressure? I don't feel it."

Often presented as one of the future faces of world padel, Coquito Zamora does not seem bothered by the expectations surrounding him.

On the contrary, he sees it as a source of motivation.

"For me, there's no pressure. It's a pleasure to have my name mentioned among the best promising players in padel. I see it more as extra motivation, a way to prove to myself that I'm capable of achieving the goals I set for myself."

A remarkable maturity already for a player who, after successfully closing the chapter on his junior career, now seems ready to write the first pages of his professional career. Definitely one to watch very closely…

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!