Key Takeaways
- Jorge Martínez announced he will leave the professional padel circuit at the end of the season to focus purely on directing M3 Padel Academy, developing youngsters and training new coaches.
- The Madrid-born coach stated that while fighting for the number one ranking alongside Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto is a major goal, “it is more the bauble on the tree than the main engine, because the motivation is already quite high.”
- Reflecting on the grueling Premier Padel tour, Martínez criticized the calendar density, affirming: “For me, having to play 22 tournaments in a year is a bad decision, I’ve said it publicly.”
A milestone transition for a legendary bench presence
One of the most decorated figures in padel history is preparing to step away from the touring grind. Jorge Martínez, born in Madrid in 1965, has announced that he will leave the sidelines and the international circuit at the conclusion of the season. After lifting the Madrid P1 trophy alongside Ale Galán and Federico Chingotto, the veteran tactician confirmed during the Paris Major that starting in 2027, his focus will pivot exclusively to his academy work at M3 Padel Academy.
Addressing the timing of his choice following triumph in the Spanish capital, Martínez explained the logic behind setting a clear horizon. “You never know if the timing is right or wrong, but it had to be done,” Martínez stated. “It seemed to me that now, after finishing Madrid and with what was left of the season, was the right time before the Paris Major. That’s what we did, and I think it puts us all in a good position heading into the end of the year and preparing for next year.”
The chase for world number one and the weight of travel
With Galán and Chingotto locked in a fierce battle against Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello for the top spot in the world rankings, the coach’s pending departure adds an emotional dimension to the season’s closing months. Yet Martínez prefers to view it as a complement rather than the primary fuel. “To achieve number one we don’t need many extras to be motivated, but it is another element to add within what it means to fight for the ultimate goal,” he explained, noting that “it is more the bauble on the tree than the main engine, because the motivation is already quite high.”
The grueling international schedule also weighed heavily on his decision to step down from touring. While acknowledging the high-level facilities and hospitality enjoyed by leading professionals, Martínez highlighted the physical toll. “When you have more years, every time you get on a plane to cross the pond, the body feels it. Those who are 20 or 30 don’t notice it, but I do,” he remarked. In looking at the broader sport, Martínez voiced clear concerns regarding the competitive requirements: “For me, having to play 22 tournaments in a year is a bad decision, I’ve said it publicly. The average should be lower, also for the sake of the spectacle.”
Calm benches and building the future at M3
Martínez’s partnership with Galán extends across 15 years, during which he also guided elite talents such as Delfina Brea and Beatriz González. His approach courtside remains centered on serenity rather than rigid commands. “Someone has to bring sanity to all of this, it falls on me,” he reflected. “The coach doesn’t have to talk all the time; you have to know how to listen, give calm, and laugh so that they release a little tension.”
Once his traveling chapter closes, Martínez will dedicate his energy to coaching young talent, shaping elite players at base, and educating future tacticians around the globe. While expecting his sideline intensity to remain intact until his final match, he acknowledged where the emotional weight will surface: “Where I will experience it differently will be in the hotel room, when I have those moments of solitude and tranquility where I think about everything that will no longer happen and everything that has happened.”
As he looks toward the remaining tournaments, his personal aspiration centers on honoring the entire support system behind the players. “And if you ask me what my wish is, I would love to be able to dedicate the final victory to them, at the very last moment,” Martínez said. “I would dedicate it to all those who have made it possible, because we are only the tip of the spear.”
