Gemma Triay on Padel Dominance, Dubai Ambitions, and the Thrill of Victory

Imagine a padel court set against the stunning backdrop of Dubai Opera Garden, with the majestic Burj Khalifa illuminating one side and the emirate’s iconic fountain dancing on the other, all in the heart of Downtown Dubai. This picturesque setting hosted a gathering of the world's elite padel players and distinguished VIPs, including Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta, former world No. 2 tennis player Paula Badosa, and retired Indian tennis star Sania Mirza. This picture-perfect occasion marked the commencement of the Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament, which kicked off on Sunday at the Hamdan Sports Complex and is scheduled to conclude on November 15.

“We had a really good time yesterday at this event,” stated Spanish world No. 1 Gemma Triay to The National on Monday, prior to her Dubai campaign. “I love Dubai; last year the tournament was excellent, but this year is even better.” Triay, the most accomplished woman in professional padel history, is currently navigating a demanding schedule in the Gulf. Her recent successes include winning the Kuwait Major title with her partner Delfina Brea, followed by a victory with Team Spain at the World Cup in Qatar last week. She now aims to secure the Dubai P1 crown.

These three significant events, contested over three consecutive weeks in the Arabian Gulf region, precede the tour's final two stops: the Mexico Major in Acapulco (November 23-29) and the Premier Padel Finals in Barcelona (December 10-13). Triay and Brea entered the Kuwait tournament with a strong desire to earn the 2,000 points available, crucial for their objective of achieving the year-end No. 1 ranking. To achieve this, the Spanish-Argentine duo had to overcome the in-form pairing of Ariana Sanchez and Andrea Ustero, who had reached five consecutive finals and won three of their last four tournaments. Triay and Brea staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Sanchez and Ustero, clinching their second major title of the season and their seventh overall in 2026. This victory extended their lead in the FIP Race to 2,780 points, and Triay set a new record for the most titles won by a female padel player, securing her 59th career trophy (36 on the World Padel Tour and 23 on Premier Padel).

Following their Kuwait success, Triay and Brea traveled to Doha for the World Cup, where they temporarily separated to represent their respective national teams. The partners found themselves as opponents in the World Cup final, with Triay facing Brea on the left side of the court, leading to intense cross-court battles. “It’s crazy, crazy,” Triay remarked about competing against her partner. Adding to the intensity, Triay was partnered with her fierce Spanish rival, Paula Josemaria, with whom she had minimal prior playing experience. Josemaria, also a left-handed player, presented a different dynamic for Triay. The Spanish duo initially led 6-2, 3-1 against the Argentinian pair before experiencing a lapse in concentration, allowing their opponents back into the match. Spain ultimately secured their seventh consecutive world title and tenth overall.

Triay acknowledged that teaming up with her tour rivals for the Spanish squad is challenging but ultimately enjoyable. “It’s crazy for us, but I think when we land in Doha, our mindset shifts to, ‘OK, [flip the] switch’,” she explained. “It’s a world championship; it’s a special week, and we always spend a lot of time with our teammates. It’s not easy to share this kind of week because we are normally competing against each other under immense pressure; the race for the number one ranking is incredibly close among the top three pairs. So, yes, I’m happy because I think we really enjoyed all the days, spending a lot of time together, with a lot of camaraderie. Yes, I’m happy, I’m really happy.”

At 34, Triay is the most senior player on the Spanish team, a fact she humorously noted. She has now reunited with Brea in Dubai, whom she had just defeated in the World Cup final, and they are focused on maintaining their winning momentum from the Kuwait Major. The Dubai tournament has seen significant growth, attracting a substantial title sponsorship from real estate giant Emaar this year. The UAE and the broader Gulf region have become increasingly vital for the Premier Padel tour, which is supported by Qatar Sports Investments.

“I think when we arrive in these countries, it’s very comfortable for me; I feel very safe here,” Triay shared via Zoom from her Dubai hotel. “The hotels, the food, the facilities are amazing; the people are also incredibly kind. I don’t know how many years we’ve been coming here, but since our arrival, I’ve witnessed a significant growth in padel; there are many more female players and people engaging with the sport. I have a large fan base here, and I’m pleased about that, as I observe the global expansion of padel, particularly in countries that may not have traditionally been associated with such sports. Nowadays, there are padel clubs catering to women. I hope for substantial improvement in the future, potentially seeing players from this region compete in Premier Padel.”

Currently, only five of the top 20 women in the world rankings are non-Spanish, hailing from Argentina, Portugal, and Italy, while the men’s top 20 is nearly evenly divided between Spanish and Argentine players. However, with padel's surging popularity, Triay is confident that increased diversity will emerge, bolstering its prospects for Olympic inclusion. Padel is vying for a spot in the 2032 Olympic program and has already made its debut at the Asian Games this year.

“I believe it’s time,” Triay stated when asked about padel’s Olympic potential. “I think 2032 could be a possibility, perhaps as an exhibition sport, I’m not sure, but I see significant global growth and numerous tournaments. I think Premier Padel and FIP, the international federation, are doing an excellent job, organizing multiple tournaments concurrently across different global locations. This approach is key to attracting new players from diverse countries.”

Triay initially pursued a career in tennis but was compelled to switch paths at 18 due to a severe abdominal injury. Originally from Menorca, she began playing padel while studying in Barcelona during a period of rapid growth for the sport, and she has never looked back. She draws inspiration from tennis legends Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, serving as a Rafa Nadal Academy ambassador and maintaining a strong connection with the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Triay even harbors a dream of playing padel with Serena Williams one day.

Triay has met many remarkable individuals through her sport and is astonished by its widespread appeal at the recreational level. “Everyone plays, it’s incredible, it’s incredible,” she exclaims. “I think it’s a sport that is easier to learn, play, and enjoy. For instance, tennis can be challenging to play, but padel, with its smaller court, typically played two-on-two, and smaller rackets, makes it easy for beginners to hit the ball. I believe players improve quickly. Consequently, many people, including celebrities or those who previously played other sports, are drawn to padel because they are highly competitive and find satisfaction in improving their game even with just one weekly session, which keeps them engaged in the competition.”

At 34, Triay still anticipates competing for another four to five years before shifting her focus to her personal life and starting a family. Retirement is a topic she frequently discusses with her psychologist and team, recognizing the significant mental preparation required. She has communicated to them that they should encourage her to retire the moment she no longer feels competitive. For the present, she remains driven to compete and is motivated by the challenge of facing younger opponents. “I always say the same: I get tired of losing, but I don’t get tired of winning,” she explained.