Key Takeaways
- Spain clinched the Senior World Championship title in Buenos Aires by defeating the United States 3-0 without dropping a set in the final.
- National coach Carolina Navarro enjoyed a victorious world debut following her earlier gold at the Mediterranean Games.
- The Spanish team celebrated their fourth world title with spirited chants of “I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!” after the victory.
Dominant final display seals world title defense
Spain’s senior women’s padel team secured another world championship crown, putting together a clinical performance in Buenos Aires to capture the title. Following their top finish at La Nucía in 2024, the Spanish squad extended their dominance on international soil, claiming a comprehensive 3-0 victory in the final.
While many anticipated a clash against hosts Argentina, the title showdown matched Spain against a surprising United States team. The tie marked a dream World Championship debut on the bench for national coach Carolina Navarro, who had previously guided Spain to gold at the Mediterranean Games and has now replicated that success on the global stage.
Flawless run through the final matches
The tie began in the 40 category, where Lucía Sainz and Lorena Alonso teamed up against Egle Petrauskaite and Ana Marija Zubori. Sainz and Alonso dictated the pace from start to finish, taking only an hour to dispatch their opponents with a 6-1, 6-2 scoreline and pocket Spain’s opening point.
Belén Castrillo and María Cruz Vaquero pushed Spain to the brink of victory in the 60 bracket. The duo delivered an emphatic masterclass against Andrea Neugarten and Rhona Patricia Kaczmarcyk, leaving no room for a comeback as they recorded a flawless 6-0, 6-0 double bagel.
With only one victory required to lift the trophy, Navarro trusted Eva Gayoso and María Wakonigg to complete the job. The pair quickly took charge against Lisa Maria Teer and Veronica Liz Costabel, overcoming their American counterparts 6-1, 6-3 to mathematically seal the title without dropping a single set across the tie.
Roster celebration and bronze for Netherlands
Following the final ball, the team celebrated wildly on the court with chants of “I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish!” to celebrate their fourth world championship triumph.
The title-winning squad featured Lucía Sainz Pelegri, Lorena Alonso de Lera, Isabel Domínguez Munáiz, Cristina Gago, Teresita María Burastero Amodeo, Belén Castrillo de la Cruz, Paola Andrea Folatelli Maestu, Eva Gayoso Orpinell, Beatriz González Menéndez, Nuria Montero Martí, Icíar Elena Montes Arce, Nuria Rivas Vázquez, María Silvela Mendizábal, María Cruz Vaquero Guitarte, and María Wakonigg Figueras.
In the third-place playoff, the Netherlands rallied from an opening rubber defeat against Belgium, mounting a resilient comeback to prevail 2-1 and take home the bronze medal.
