The Future of Padel Is Female: Standouts to Watch in 2026

predictions

2 min read

5 Dec 2025

The Future of Padel Is Female: Standouts to Watch in 2026

Look at the women’s draw and you’ll notice a trend: the average age of threats is dropping. Martina Calvo, Carmen Goenaga, and Claudia Jensen symbolise this shift, each bringing a different style to the future of padel.

Martina Calvo: The Meteor

Calvo looks like a player who skipped a few steps on the ladder:

Fearless hitting against established stars.
Strong presence at the net.
Ability to turn defence into attack with a single ball.

She plays with the urgency and freedom of someone who hasn’t learnt to be afraid yet – and that’s a compliment.

Carmen Goenaga: The Silent Engine

Goenaga doesn’t always shout for attention, but:

She rarely gives away points.
She’s tactically mature.
She makes partners look better.

She’s the prototype of a player coaches love: reliable, coachable, and quietly ruthless in long rallies.

Claudia Jensen: The X-Factor

Jensen brings edge and unpredictability:

Willing to take risks.
Capable of playing at a pace many opponents dislike.
Emotionally intense in a way that can fire up both herself and the crowd.

When she learns to balance that fire with a bit more control, her ceiling jumps again.

Why They Matter Together

As a trio, they show:

The field is deeper than ever.
Future superteams could be built entirely from this generation.
Established champions must constantly adapt or be overtaken.

The phrase “The future of padel is female” isn’t just marketing – it’s a scouting report.

Practical Tasks

For fans & federations:

Build a “Next Gen Watchlist” spreadsheet with these three names plus your local prospects. Track results through 2026.
In junior programs, use their matches as examples of modern women’s padel: faster, smarter, and more physical than ever.
Organise viewing sessions where juniors must present short breakdowns (3–5 minutes) on one of these players: strengths, weaknesses, and what they can copy.

The Future of Padel Is Female: Standouts to Watch in 2026

predictions

2 min read

5 Dec 2025

Martina Calvo: The Meteor

Calvo looks like a player who skipped a few steps on the ladder:

Fearless hitting against established stars.
Strong presence at the net.
Ability to turn defence into attack with a single ball.

She plays with the urgency and freedom of someone who hasn’t learnt to be afraid yet – and that’s a compliment.

Carmen Goenaga: The Silent Engine

Goenaga doesn’t always shout for attention, but:

She rarely gives away points.
She’s tactically mature.
She makes partners look better.

She’s the prototype of a player coaches love: reliable, coachable, and quietly ruthless in long rallies.

Claudia Jensen: The X-Factor

Jensen brings edge and unpredictability:

Willing to take risks.
Capable of playing at a pace many opponents dislike.
Emotionally intense in a way that can fire up both herself and the crowd.

When she learns to balance that fire with a bit more control, her ceiling jumps again.

Why They Matter Together

As a trio, they show:

The field is deeper than ever.
Future superteams could be built entirely from this generation.
Established champions must constantly adapt or be overtaken.

The phrase “The future of padel is female” isn’t just marketing – it’s a scouting report.

Practical Tasks

For fans & federations:

Build a “Next Gen Watchlist” spreadsheet with these three names plus your local prospects. Track results through 2026.
In junior programs, use their matches as examples of modern women’s padel: faster, smarter, and more physical than ever.
Organise viewing sessions where juniors must present short breakdowns (3–5 minutes) on one of these players: strengths, weaknesses, and what they can copy.