2023 has been a year of changes. Change of partners, change of blades, change of brands and players. In short, a series of changes that have not left anyone indifferent and that, as expected, have had an impact on the professional circuit.
Although Paquito Navarro began the year with Juan Tello, in March their separation was announced. The adaptation of the Andalusian on the right side ended up dynamiting the Spanish-Argentine duo. After their separation, the couple changes happened in a chain and the circuit assumed changes throughout the months of March and April.
Injuries have also been the protagonists of a season with a very demanding calendar with the coexistence between the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel. Which is another story, since at the end of August it was publicly announced that both entities would become a single entity under the Premier brand starting in 2024.
Despite all the ups and downs of the circuit, some professional padel players and couples have managed to overcome the situation, demonstrating that no change could affect them and that they are above any external agent. This is how 2023 has left, the ranking of the best padel players, not only in terms of number, but also in terms of their evolution and level.
Agustín Tapia (releasing number 1)
Agustín Tapia, the Mozart of Catamarca and, starting in 2023, also the eighth number one on the World Padel Tour. Without a doubt, 2023 has been his year. Together with Arturo Coello he has managed to be one of the best padel players in the world.
The duo formed between the Argentine and the Valladolid man achieved nine consecutive WPT championships, which translated into 46 consecutive wins. Finally, it had to be at Coello's house where the streak ended. After this setback, the couple continued to demonstrate their unattainable level for the rest of the couples, only the Superpibes couple has remained constant in their fight.
Premier Padel also seems to bear his name, since in Rome, Madrid, Mendoza or Paris, Tapia and Coello were in charge of lifting the trophy.
However, Tapia's right arm would begin to wear a bandage in Marbella. Chronicle of an announced injury. After his ninth title, Mozart de Catamarca decided to stop. A break at the French Open that allowed him to return to the competition in Valladolid. And although it was here that the streak of consecutive victories was broken, the duo did not let their guard down and continued to increase the difference in points in the ranking and defend that difficult number one achieved back in May in Vigo.
First attached to his Nox AT10 Genius 18K and from October to his Nox AT10 GENIUS 18K Alum, Tapia and Coello's experience is difficult to describe in words. The most constant and strongest couple of this 2023. Despite falling in the final of Masters such as those in Valladolid or Madrid, Tapia and Coello have managed to dethrone the Galán and Lebron couple, number one couple for the last three years.
All the merits achieved as a couple have allowed Tapia to be one of the best players currently in the world of paddle tennis. A number one that aims to last over time and champion, along with other great compatriots such as Sanyo and Bela, that paddle tennis has an Argentine seal.
Arturo Coello (from Argentine to Argentine)
It was October 2022 when it was rumored that Arturo Coello would not continue with Fernando Belasteguín. Although the rumors spread like wildfire, the separation of Agustín Tapia and Sanyo Gutiérrez made bobbin lace even easier.
With the first WPT tournament of the year played with Tapia, held in Abu Dhabi, against the current number ones at the time, Ale Galán and Juan Lebron, the omens of a change of reign were beginning to appear.
Coello had been showing a spectacular level with Bela, in fact, the couple finished number 3. However, it would be with Tapia when he ended up showing his best level. The man from Pucelano has achieved incredible numbers, including achieving 46 consecutive wins.
2023 has been his year with capital letters and after his victory at Roland Garros, in the Premier Padel in Paris, Coello became number 1 alone in the FIP ranking. But not content with that, Coello is also number one in the WPT ranking. Both achievements establish him as the first player to be number 1 in the two most important circuits in the world.
The Spanish player has stayed away from injuries, allowing him to have a very regular season. First with the Head Delta Pro and later with the Head Extreme Pro, King Arthur has earned the crown all by himself. Among his merits, it is also worth noting that he has become the youngest player to achieve number 1. Along with the Olympus of Juan Lebron, Paquito Navarro and Ale Galán; Arturo Coello is the four Spaniard to achieve the greatest achievement in professional padel.
Franco Stupaczuk and Martín Di Nenno (the Superpibes returns)
Two old acquaintances. Their complicity off the track is also transmitted on. Martín Di Nenno and Franco Stupaczuk are the only couple that has managed to face the practically unbeatable Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia. Valladolid, Valencia, Amsterdam, Madrid,… the Argentines have been the other protagonists of the WPT.
With Ale Galán and Juan Lebron away from the level, demonstrating so much in 2021 and 2022, the Superpibes have been one of the strongest couples in the fight for number 1. In Primer Padel they have maintained the victorious pace of the WPT. The first Major of the year, held in Qatar, opted for the Superpibes. A final in which the ball danced to the rhythm of cumbia since all the finalists were Argentine (Sanyo, Bela, Di Nenno and Stupa).
If anything has become clear, it is that, after the separation of their respective partners, the Superpibes have developed a winning competitive gene. Di Nenno and Stupaczuk are going through one of their best sporting periods, if not the best. If Coello and Tapia achieved nine consecutive tournaments, the Argentines cannot envy them much either, this duo has been present in more than 12 WPT finals.
It is enough to compare the results of the previous year to show that this is being the best season for both players. During his time with Paquito Navarro, Marín Di Nenno won two WPT tournaments and a Premier Padel. On the other hand, Franco Stupczuk with his previous partner, Pablo Lima, won 1 tWpt and 2 Premier Padel tournaments.
In the Race, Di Nenno and Stupa followed Coello and Tapia very closely. Despite the lead taken by Pucelano and Catamarca, the Superpibes have maintained a difference of less than 5,000 points during the season.
A one-on-one fight that has made us include him in the list of the best padel players of the 2023 season.
Paula Josemaría (2023, blank and number 1)
The bittersweet end of Paula Josemaría and Ari Sánchez's Barcelona Master Final left the Extremaduran and Catalan woman with a bitter taste in 2022. In the last match, the Head couple played for number 1 against Alejandra Salazar and Gemma Triay.
However, the 2023 season began with a victory. Abu Dhabi was the first tournament of many more that culminated in the sweetest of victories. October 15, 2023 will surely be one of the most important dates for Paula Josemaría. At the Amsterdam Open, against Delfi Brea and Bea González, Paula and Ari secured number one of the season.
Since her foray into the WPT, back in 2016, Paula has faced numerous seasons demonstrating a level at which she has been improving year after year. In 2028 it begins to reach the top positions in the ranking. Since the victory in the Madrid Master, together with Ana Catarina, the succession of titles in Paula's record has not stopped growing. And so, in 2023 he has had his best season.
A crazy year in which he has sealed a record of victorious matches and sets. 23 matches and 46 consecutive sets won that once again reflected that this has been their year.
Ari Sánchez (a year of records)
With less than two months left before the competition ended, Ari Sánchez could already shout from the rooftops that he was number one of the season. With Paula Josemaría in the drive, the couple has had a record year that has culminated in the most beautiful ending, a number one before the season ends.
Little remains of the tears of sadness from the Estrella Damm Barcelona Master Final of 2022. The victory sealed in the final of the Amsterdam Open crowned an impeccable season.
And after winning 23 consecutive games, Ari Sánchez left his mark on another season record: more than 13 titles in one year.
With the newly released number 1, Ari Sánchez enters the select list of number 1 players in the ranking. Along with other names such as Mapi Sánchez, Gemma Triay or Alejandra Salazar, the big question is whether Ari Sánchez will be able to retain the title next season. And the thing is that Reus is less than 5 titles away from being the second player with the most WPT titles. Above her is Gemma Triay and the difficult to beat Alejandra Salazar, with more than 50 titles to her credit.
Delfi Brea and Bea González (the Superpibas are going strong)
In April we learned that the paths of Bea González and Marta Ortega were separating. The same would also happen with Delfi Brea and Sofía Araujo. A second chance was brewing. Because yes, the 'Superpibas' already knew what it was like to share a track back in 2019. By then, the couple achieved two Challengers.
But the Superpibas knew little about lifting only two titles in their last stage as a couple. And now, in 2023, with a much more mature level of play, they have managed to show that they also deserved a second chance.
On the other hand, Bea González and Delfi Brea have shown determination throughout the competition. A deep but constant fight that has lifted them up to the Final Master.
For others, 2023 has been a somewhat more bitter year, tinged with injuries. This has been the case of two number ones like Alejandra Salazar or Juan Lebron. However, his competitive spirit has helped ensure that there have not been many tournaments in which we have noticed his absence. Or else tell the wolf, winning again in Menorca with an unmitigated defeat against Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia.
Names like Fede Chingotto, Jon Sanz or Gemma Triay should also come to light. Seasons with ups and downs but which they have been able to overcome to also get into the Final Master.
