Claudia Fernandez, the young padel player making waves

Claudia Fernandez Sanchez, born on 28 February 2006 in Madrid, Spain, is a professional padel player who quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most promising players on the circuit. In 2024, she has already impressed the padel world with her exceptional performances, notably alongside Gemma Triay.

This year, Claudia Fernandez made padel history by becoming the youngest player to win a professional tournament. She achieved this historic victory at the Premier Padel P1 in Santiago, Chile, where she and partner Gemma Triay dominated the final against Patty Llaguno and Lucía Sainz, winning 6-1, 6-4 on 3 June 2024. 

At just 18 years, 3 months and 4 days old, Claudia broke the previous record held by Bea González, who won her first professional title at the age of 18 in 2020. Claudia’s early success not only sets a new milestone in padel history but also highlights her immense potential and rapid rise as a dominant force in the sport. This triumph is a testament to her exceptional talent and maturity on court, pointing to an illustrious career in the years ahead.

Basic information

• Full name: Claudia Fernandez Sanchez
• Date of birth: 28 February 2006
• Place of birth: Madrid, Spain
• Height: 1.64 m
• Current partner: Gemma Triay Pons
• Playing position: Right

Early career and rapid rise

Claudia started playing padel at the age of 7, inspired by her father, a padel coach. Her rapid progress enabled her to quickly reach an impressive level of padel play and join the professional circuit around 2–3 years ago. In 2023, she made her mark by reaching the quarter-finals of a major tournament, her best result at the time.

Breakthrough on the world stage

2024 was Claudia’s breakthrough year: she not only broke age records but also proved she could compete with the best. Her first major final came at the Qatar Major, against Paula Josémaria and Ariana Sanchez. Soon afterwards, she won her first Premier Padel title in Santiago, becoming the youngest winner at this level of competition, aged just 18 years, 3 months and 4 days.

Victories and records

• First title: Premier Padel in Santiago, Chile, 2024
• Other notable finals:
• Qatar Major, 2024
• Brussels P2, 2024
• Asunción P2, 2024

Claudia and Gemma Triay formed a formidable partnership, quickly climbing into the world’s top 10. They proved their ability by reaching several major finals and beating more experienced players.

Equipment and sponsorship

Bullpadel supports the next generation of players

Claudia was chosen by Bullpadel as the face of the next generation. Since January 2021, she has used the Ionic Light racket, designed to combine power and precision and perfectly suited to her dynamic, aggressive playing style. Bullpadel actively supports the development of young padel talent through its "NEXT GENERATION" initiative, underscoring the brand’s commitment to helping emerging athletes in the sport. The programme is designed to equip young players with the best tools to succeed, reflecting Bullpadel’s belief in their potential to shape the future of padel.

The Bullpadel Ionic Light 24 racket is valued for its precision and manoeuvrability, making it a popular choice for advanced players seeking both control and agility in their game. It features a round shape, a carbon frame and a Multi EVA rubber core, providing a balanced response during play. This racket offers excellent balance between power and control, with a weight ranging from 345 to 360 grams, making it ideal for versatile players.​

The Ionic Light 24 also features advanced technologies such as the 3D Grain finish, which adds textured precision to every shot, and CarbonTube construction for controlled power delivery, ensuring exceptional durability and manoeuvrability. This combination of features makes the Ionic Light 24 a powerful tool for players serious about improving their padel game.

Claudia also turned to Bullpadel for her padel shoes.

And other, more unexpected sponsors

Claudia Fernandez has also been seen wearing Alpine padel clothing. The brand has deep roots in motorsport and is known for its high-performance rally cars. Alpine has expanded its activities by partnering with high-level padel events, such as the Alpine HOP London Padel Open 2024. This initiative marks a significant expansion of its involvement in sport, demonstrating its desire to partner with prestigious events and raise its profile beyond traditional motor racing circuits.

Playing style and tactics

Known for her aggressive play and excellent movement, Claudia excels at positioning and making effective use of the court. She combines excellent defence with the ability to finish points powerfully, allowing her to dominate her opponents.

Commitments and prospects

Beyond her success on court, Claudia is committed to promoting padel among young people, hoping to inspire the next generation of players. With an already impressive career and a promising future, Claudia Fernandez is set to become an iconic figure in world padel.

Claudia Fernandez represents not only the future of women’s padel but also the esprit of competition and excellence in the sport. Her performances so far suggest that she will continue to break records and challenge conventions in the years ahead.

It will undoubtedly be fascinating to watch young players like her develop on the same circuit as more experienced players such as Marta Marrero, who is on track to make a comeback this year.