Padel Player of the Week
Francisco "Paquito" Navarro Compán
This week, we spotlight Paquito Navarro, an exceptional Padel talent from Seville, Spain, born on February 10, 1989. Known for his dynamic play style and charisma, standing at 1.81m, he is one of the most prominent figures of this sport and one we can truly call, a legend.
The only Spanish champion in all categories, Paquito Navarro started playing Padel at the tender age of 5. His passion for the sport was evident from an early age, and by 10, he was already competing, finishing as runner-up in his first major competition (world cup for minors) in Mexico. This early start and rapid success showcased his exceptional skills and set the stage for his rise to the top of the sport.
Over the years, Navarro has become known for his dynamic play style, tactical intelligence, and the ability to make unforgettable plays, solidifying his reputation as one of the best padel players in the world. His journey from a young enthusiast to a top-tier athlete is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and innate talent.
Paquito Navarro currently partners with Federico Chingotto (As of today), creating a strong team on the padel court. Navarro's aggressive style complements Chingotto's finesse and quick reflexes. Their synergy and strategic gameplay captivate fans and enhance their chances of winning.
Throughout his career, Navarro has partnered with several prominent players, achieving significant success with many of them. His past partners include Jordi Muñoz, Maxi Grabiel, Matias Díaz, Sanyo Gutiérrez, Juan Martín Díaz, Pablo Lima, Juan Cruz Belluatti, Juan Lebrón, Martín Di Nenno, and Juan Tello.
During the semifinals of the Portugal Padel Masters 2018, Paquito Navarro suffered a severe accident when he broke the glass wall and fell on it, causing deep cuts on his elbows and knees that required stitches. Due to these injuries, Juan Lebrón teamed up with Juan Martín Díaz for the remainder of the tournament.
Francisco Navarro returned to his original partner, Juan Martín Díaz, but after a few tournaments, they parted ways, and Navarro rejoined Pablo Lima. In the 2019 season, he teamed up with Juan Lebrón, a brilliant move that led them to make history in Spanish padel, with Navarro even becoming the number one in the world ranking.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Paquito Navarro began his professional career in 2009, quickly winning the Under-23 Spanish Championship and being runner-up in the Absolute Spanish Championship in 2010 alongside Pitu Lozada.
Navarro achieved significant success with various partners: winning titles with Maxi Grabiel (Valencia Open and San Fernando Open in 2014), Matias Díaz (Barcelona Master 2015), Pablo Lima (Bilbao Open 2018, Marbella Master 2020), Sanyo Gutiérrez (WPT Master Finals 2016, Santander Open, Miami Master, and five other titles in 2017)
Juan Lebrón (Alicante Open, Jaén Master, Valladolid Master, Sweden Open, and São Paulo Open in 2019), Martín Di Nenno (Barcelona Master, Córdoba Open, Buenos Aires Master, Vigo Open 2022, Qatar Major, and Santander Open 2022), and Federico Chingotto (WPT Master Final 2023)
Despite a severe accident in 2018, Navarro made remarkable comebacks. He continues to compete at the highest level, recently winning the WPT Master Final with Chingotto and even won a very recent WPT title, solidifying his status as an elite player up to this day.
Check out this highlight reel of Navarro’s outstanding performance!
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