At just 21 years old, Giulia Dal Pozzo has already established herself as one of the brightest prospects in Italian padel. Ranked 31st in the world, the player from Borgo Maggiore (San Marino) continues her meteoric rise after starting the season outside the top 65. A former tennis player, she is competing in her first full season on the circuit in 2026. Premier Padel and is already starting to challenge the best pairs on the planet. In this interview given to Padel MagazineShe looks back on her journey, her progress, the refereeing controversy in Valladolid, her ambitions and the players who inspire her. 

The explosion of Giulia Dal Pozzo

 Padel Magazine You are currently ranked 31st in the world and second among Italians, just three places behind Carolina Orsi. At the beginning of the year, you were much further down the rankings… 

 Giulia Dal Pozzo:  Yes, I think I was around 67th in the world. It's true that the progress has been very rapid this season and of course, it's pleasing to see that the hard work is paying off.

Last year, I played a few tournaments, but I didn't have enough points to get into all the draws. This year is really my first full season on the tour. Premier Padel.

I've played tennis all my life. I started at the age of three thanks to my mother, who was a player and also my coach. Then, around 16 or 17, I discovered padel. I immediately fell in love with the sport. Little by little, I put tennis aside to dedicate myself entirely to padel, and today I absolutely don't regret that choice.

 You mainly train in Italy. Is that enough to aim for the very highest level? 

I train with my coach Carlo Conti in Italy. From time to time, I also go to Spain to train with my partner.

For now, I think it's working well. What I miss most is the pace of top-level players. In Italy, I often train with boys. In Spain, there are many more professional players available for training.

Ultimately, I think the best balance is to combine the two.

 "In Spain, there are more players to develop into." 

 Do you think it's essential to live in Spain to succeed in professional padel? 

Not necessarily.

I believe it's possible to build a career while staying in Italy, Portugal, or even France. But it's clear that in Spain, the overall level is higher and the concentration of professional players allows for faster progression.

Today, I am satisfied with my organization.

Giulia Dal Pozzo: "The referee made a mistake... My dream is to become world number 1."

 A controversy that is still being discussed 

 You were coming from Valladolid, where the conditions were completely different. How did you prepare for this tournament? 

The conditions were completely opposite.

We held two training sessions upon arrival to understand the track, the rebounds, and to adapt as quickly as possible.

 In Valladolid, your semi-final was marked by a highly controversial refereeing decision. What really happened? 

Yes, everyone is still talking about it today.

On that play, I clearly saw the ball was out. My partner also stopped. We requested a video review, but the referee refused.

We tried to discuss it with the referee and even with the female referee, but it was never possible to really explain the situation.

In my opinion, there has been a mistake.

 Is this the point that cost you the match? 

I wouldn't say that a single point is enough to lose a match.

However, it completely changes the dynamics.

We were leading 4-2 against the second-best pair in the world. Instead of coming back to tie, we quickly found ourselves behind. Mentally, that changes everything.

When an opportunity to beat such a team presents itself, it is rare. If that opportunity disappears due to a mistake, it is extremely difficult to regain the same energy.

Giulia Dal Pozzo: "My dream is to become world number 1"

 "We are getting closer to the best." 

 Do you feel that you are now able to regularly compete with the world's Top 5? 

Yes.

The results obtained in recent months give us a great deal of confidence.

We now know that we can compete with the best thanks to our level of play. Little by little, we are closing the gap.

 Do you see yourself one day being number 1 in the world? 

That's my dream.

I work every day with this goal in mind and I hope that one day it will become a reality.

 "We need to use video more." 

 How do you think refereeing can be improved? 

I know that being a referee is a very difficult job.

A single referee cannot perfectly see all trajectories.

That is precisely why video exists.

When in doubt, it should be used.

We could also imagine two umpires placed on either side of the track in order to better control certain balls that are impossible to judge from the chair.

The players can also try to communicate better with each other when possible.

 A natural striker 

 What is your best move? 

I would say the smash and the roller.

 Why does this trick work so well for you? 

I don't really know.

Since my beginnings, I've always had a good feeling about this shot.

It's not even because I work on it a lot. It's a gesture that comes naturally to me.

 In training, do you focus on your weaknesses or your strengths? 

I mainly work on my weaknesses.

But I also continue to maintain my best moves so that they remain a weapon.

Giulia Dal Pozzo: "My dream is to become world number 1"

 Giulia Dal Pozzo's Top Picks 

 Best forehand from the back:  Claudia Fernández

 Best backhand from the baseline:  Gemma Triay

 Best forehand volley:  Paula Josemaría

 Best backhand volley:  Claudia Fernández

 Best lob:  Gemma Triay

 Best smash:  Andrea Ustero

 Best víbora:  Gemma Triay

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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