Ariana Sanchez: the rising star of world padel

Ariana Sánchez Fallada, better known as Ari Sánchez, was born on 19 July 1997 in Reus, Spain. This professional padel player currently holds the top spot in the Premier Padel rankings and plays on the left alongside Paula Josemaría. Together, they form the best padel pair in the world.

Basic information 

• Name: Ariana Sanchez Fallada
• Nickname: Magic Ari
• Date of birth: 19 July 1997
• Place of birth: Reus, Tarragona
• Height: 1.65 m
• Current partner: Paula Josemaría
• Position: Left

Ariana Sanchez's career 

Ariana Sanchez's beginnings and rise

Ari took her first steps in padel at the age of 9, following in the footsteps of her father, who, according to her, was very good at the sport. She often played against him with her brother. From a young age, Ariana was always drawn to sport, joining football and basketball teams at school. Her parents quickly noticed her exceptional padel skills and decided to get her a padel licence by enrolling her in a padel school in Reus.

Before joining the World Padel Tour, Ariana played with Marta Ortega at amateur level. In 2016, her padel level began to make waves on the professional circuit : she played with Tamara Icardo at the start of the season, before reuniting with Marta Ortega as a partner, this time as a professional. That year, she also played with Paula Eyheraguibel in Catalan Federation tournaments.

The first successes

In 2017, Ariana and Marta Ortega achieved their first major results by winning the Cantabria Open, the first tournament of the season, beating Elisabeth Amatriaín and Patricia Llaguno in the final. Throughout the season, they were one of the hardest pairs to beat, although they only reached the final at the Master Final, where they were defeated by Mapi and Majo Sánchez Alayeto.

In 2018, Ariana and Marta Ortega continued playing together, regularly reaching the semi-finals, although they failed to reach a final until the Valencia Master and the Granada Open, where they lost.

A new partner: Alejandra Salazar

At the end of the 2018 season, Ariana changed partners to play with Alejandra Salazar in 2019. Together, they won five WPT titles and ranked as the second-best pair on the circuit, just behind Marta Marrero and Marta Ortega.

The unstoppable duo with Paula Josemaría

In 2021, Ariana formed a new pair with Paula Josemaría. Although they were not initially considered favourites, they achieved great results and won several Opens and Masters. Today, they are the number 1 pair in the padel rankings of Premier Padel.

Overview of her victories and awards

Ariana Sanchez's career has been marked by a series of impressive performances and notable victories. Her victory at the Cantabria Open in 2017 was one of the first to highlight her immense talent. In 2019, with Alejandra Salazar, she won five WPT titles, consolidating her position among the best players in the world.

Ariana Sanchez's equipment

After being supported by equipment supplier Nox, Ariana is now sponsored by the Head brand.

Her racket: the Head Speed Motion

Her racket, the Head Speed Motion, features innovative Auxetic technology, which provides extra power and an exceptional impact feel. It is also the lightest padel racket in the SPEED series, making it an ideal choice for advanced players with a fast and varied game. Its hybrid hitting surface, made of woven carbon fibres and fibreglass, gives it an optimal balance between power and control. In addition, the new Soft Butt Cap improves feel and touch, while its modern design with copper accents gives it a fresh and distinctive look. The SPEED MOTION racket is versatile and manoeuvrable, offering an excellent blend of power and control, ideal for advanced players thanks to its teardrop shape and innovative technology, which add power and an incredible impact feel.

Her shoes: the Head Sprint Pro

Designed specifically for fast 360-degree movements on a padel court, the new MOTION TEAM PADEL shoe supports and enhances footwork in all directions. The advanced outsole pattern provides exceptional multidirectional grip, allowing you to change direction and move around the padel court with confidence. 

For stability, the shoe is equipped with a 3D thermoplastic polyurethane midfoot upper, HEAD Lateral Control technology and a lacing system with the HEAD Lockdown strap. Comfort is ensured by the soft upper materials and the cushioned intermediate sole, while Drift Defense technology adds durability in the toe area. 

Playing style

Ariana Sanchez is known for her left-side game, which is one of her main strengths. Her playing style is characterised by great agility, speed of execution and remarkable precision. She excels in fast rallies and has a unique ability to return difficult balls, allowing her to keep the pressure on her opponents throughout the match.

Ari Sánchez's best padel points

Thanks to her dynamism and desire to keep improving, “Magic Ari” has been the protagonist of several of the best points of recent seasons. Her ability to execute spectacular shots and return seemingly impossible balls makes her a captivating player to watch. Her match videos are full of impressive points that demonstrate her exceptional talent and fighting esprit.

For example, you can see the extent of her talent in this video showcasing her best points at the Malaga Open, where she was crowned player of the tournament 

 

A discreet but determined champion

Quietly and without fanfare, Ari Sánchez built herself up. For several seasons, she has been immersed in a process of transformation that has taken her to the top of the Premier Padel rankings. Unlike other leaders, she has always remained humble and discreet, preferring to let her game speak for itself.

She really took off with Ortega. Known for her fast and offensive game, she impressed with her ability to hit powerful and precise shots, earning her the nickname “Magic Ari”. With Alejandra Salazar, Ariana showed maturity and consistency, evolving from an attacking player into a more complete and strategic competitor. Their partnership enabled Ariana to develop her defensive skills and maintain a high volume of play.

When Ariana formed a pair with Paula Josemaría, she took a risk by leaving her comfort zone to develop and adapt. This gamble paid off, taking them both to the top of the world rankings. Ari demonstrated that she was ready to take on challenges and surpass herself to achieve her goals.

Today, Ariana Sánchez is a quiet but formidable leader, known for her game intelligence and ability to take calculated risks. Her journey is an example of determination and resilience, proving that she is one of the best padel players in the world.