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 tops the Premier Padel rankings and plays on the left alongside Paula Josemaría. Together, they form the world’s best padel pair.

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 early career and rise

Ari took her first steps in padel at the age of nine, following in the footsteps of her father, who she says was very good at the sport. She and her brother often played against him. Ariana was drawn to sport from an early age, joining football and basketball teams at school. Her parents soon noticed her exceptional padel skills and decided to get her a padel licence by enrolling her at a padel school in Reus.

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

Early 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 did not reach another final until the Master Final, where they lost to Mapi and Majo Sánchez Alayeto.

In 2018, Ariana and Marta Ortega continued to play together, regularly reaching the semi-finals. They did not make it to a final until the Valencia Master and the Granada Open, both of which 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 finished as the second-best pair on the circuit, just behind Marta Marrero and Marta Ortega.

The unstoppable duo with Paula Josémaria

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

Her wins and awards

Ariana Sanchez’s career has been marked by a series of impressive performances and notable victories. Her win at the Cantabria Open in 2017 was one of the first to bring her immense talent to wider attention. In 2019, she won five WPT titles with Alejandra Salazar, cementing her place among the world’s best players.

Ariana Sanchez’s equipment

Previously backed by equipment brand Nox, Ariana is now sponsored by Head.

Her racket: the Head Speed Motion

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

Her shoes: the Head Sprint Pro

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

For stability, the shoe features a 3D thermoplastic polyurethane shank at the midfoot, HEAD Lateral Control technology and a lacing system with the HEAD Lockdown strap. Soft upper materials provide comfort, along with the cushioned intermediate sole, while Drift Defense technology adds durability around the toe. 

Playing style

Ariana Sanchez is known for her play on the left, one of her main strengths. Her game is characterised by great agility, quick reactions 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 energy and her desire to keep improving, “Magic Ari” has been behind some of the best points in recent seasons. Her ability to play spectacular shots and return seemingly impossible balls makes her captivating to watch. Videos of her matches are full of impressive points that show her exceptional talent and fighting esprit.

You can see the extent of her talent in this video of her best points at the Malaga Open, where she was named the tournament’s best player 

 

A quiet but determined champion

Quietly and without fanfare, Ari Sánchez has forged her own path. For several seasons, she has been undergoing a transformation that has taken her to the top of the Premier Padel rankings. Unlike other leaders, she has always remained humble and low-key, preferring to let her game speak for itself.

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

When Ariana paired up with Paula Josemaría, she took a risk by leaving her comfort zone to grow and adapt. The gamble paid off, taking them both to the top of the world rankings. Ari showed that she was ready to take on challenges and push herself to achieve her goals.

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