From team-mates to opponents in 20 days. Paquito Navarro and Martin Di Nenno are ready to light up the Allianz Cloud in Milan at the Oysho Milano Premier Padel P1, but another challenge is already on the horizon: the battle for the world title in Doha in early November. In Qatar, however, they will not be on the same side of the court. The Spaniard will represent the ‘Roja’, while the defending champion from Argentina will wear the colours of the ‘Selección Albiceleste’. They will compete for the most prestigious team title in padel. At the media day ahead of the P1 in Milan, they smiled, joked and demonstrated a strong understanding. For now, however, there is no time to think about the future: there is a tournament to play. “The World Championships are always special,” Di Nenno explained. “We hope to face each other in the final: it would be unique.” Asked, “Paquito, who would you prefer to partner against Di Nenno?”, Navarro replied with a smile: “Ale Galan, playing on the right.”
Before travelling to the World Championships, the world No. 5 pair will also compete at the Kuwait Major, in addition to the tournament in Milan. Navarro and Di Nenno will make their debut at the Oysho Milano Premier Padel P1 tonight against Enzo Jensen and David Gala. “I’m happy to be back in Milan. It has become one of the world capitals of padel,” Navarro said. “Italy gives me an energy that I also find in Spain and Argentina. The fans are very passionate, and the crowd gets involved in the matches as if they were on court themselves. I love feeling that atmosphere.”
The two players have a strong connection with the Premier Padel circuit: in April 2022, they won the first Major in the circuit’s history. Navarro and Di Nenno reunited in June, once again in Italy, at the Rome Major. More than four months have passed since that tournament, and the pair’s best results have been two semi-final appearances, at the Paris Major and the London P1. Their objective in Milan is clear. “We’ve been knocked out in the quarter-finals in our last two tournaments,” Navarro said. “Our target is to reach the semi-finals again and then, perhaps, secure a place in the final. We know it won’t be easy, but this week could be the right opportunity. First, we need to focus on tonight’s match, which already promises to be very difficult.”