From local courts to packed international arenas, padel tennis is creating a new generation of global sports stars.

Padel tennis, a sport with combined elements of both squash and tennis, has surged in popularity in recent years. Combining the fast-paced rallies of squash with the tactical shot play of tennis, padel delivers excitement that appeals to both players and spectators.

Just like its two sister games, this racket-based sport features some globally renowned players, credited to the national and international tournaments held occasionally.

However, the international player ranking is not random. It’s based on a set of defined criteria that determine the current athletes’ positions on the ranking board. Also, these padel world rankings are built on a clearly defined system that rewards performance, consistency, and results across official competitions.

In this article, we break down how the global padel ranking system works. We will also highlight some of the best professional padel players currently making an impact on the international stage.

Global Padel Player Ranking System

Let’s explore the set criteria for the international ranking of Padel players.

(Based on the World Padel Tour Criteria)

1. Points System 

The World Padel Tour (WPT) ranks players using a points-based system. The more the players participate in and win WPT-sanctioned padel tournaments, the more points they secure. Players accumulate more points by advancing to later rounds, such as quarters, semifinals, and

Examples from previous WPT point tables show that:

• Masters tournaments award more points than regular Opens or Challengers. 
• Winners of Masters events receive substantially more ranking points. 
• Points decrease for players eliminated in earlier rounds. 

This structure means that consistent success in high-level events helps players climb the WPT ranking. 

2. Rolling 12-Month Period 

Apart from the point-based system, the player rankings are based on a rolling 12-month period. This means that the value of points earned from a specific tournament gradually decreases. Points earned from tournaments remain part of a player’s total for about one year. After this period, older points are replaced by new results from the same event or equivalent level.

For instance, if a player wins a tournament in a year and is ranked high, after 12 months, the player will fall off the list due to the decreased value of the earned points. The list will then feature the players with the highest points scored in the given event for the current year.

This rolling approach ensures the WPT ranking reflects current form and recent performance rather than older achievements.  

3. Best Results Count 

Adding more to the previous point, a player’s points do decrease in value after a year but are not entirely useless. The number of best performances a player gives in a year all adds to the player’s score on the ranking table.

Players who reach finals or semifinals at bigger events will earn more points than those who only reach early rounds or participate in lower-tier tournaments. What matters here is the fact that the best performance points from previous years also add to the score table, determining the player’s final rank.  

(Based on the International Padel Federation (FIP) Criteria)

The International Padel Federation (FIP) is the official governing body responsible for managing the global padel ranking system. The ranking system for 2026 announced by FIP is in conjunction with the Qatar Airways Premier Padel and CUPRA FIP TOUR tournaments. Here’s a breakdown of the criteria:

The Premier Padel Tournaments are divided into three categories: 

• Majors: The highest-ranked Padel series 
• P1 tournaments: The second-highest-ranked series 
• P2 tournaments: The third-highest-ranked matches 

The FIP Tour tournaments have their division into four major categories:  

1. Platinum 
2. Gold 
3. Silver 
4. Bronze 

The tournament’s final features the top players, who are then ranked accordingly on the international rank table.

Here’s how the ranking system works: 

• Points Based on Tournament Results: Players earn ranking points depending on how far they advance in an event, with higher-tier tournaments offering more points. 
• Best Results Count: Only the best 22 results from FIP-sanctioned tournaments within the ranking window are counted. This ensures that consistency in performance is rewarded. 
• Rolling 52-Week System: Points earned are valid for 52 weeks. When a point or result passes one year old, it drops from the player’s total and is replaced by newer performance points.  

Note: The earned points are based on how well a player performs in a match series. Also, the points from previous performances are added to determine the final rank on the performance board. 

The Best Padel Players in 2026

Now, let’s have a look at the current stars of the world of Padel, ranked according to the FIP standards.

Top Male Padel Players

1. Augustín Tapia 

Agustín Tapia, an Argentine padel champion, dominates the padel industry in 2025. He won the Master Final in World Padel Tour at the age of 19, becoming the youngest player to win a WPT tournament. Tapia has played a total of 142 games, winning 130 of them, and brought his winning percentage to 91.5%. He never misses a ball, which is why he is the top padel champion. 

2. Arturo Coello 

This Spanish individual is another inspiration for padel enthusiasts. Coello stepped into professional sports in 2019 at the age of 17. Since then, he has successfully secured seven World Padel Tour wins to his name, making him one of the youngest winners of the WPT tournament. 

3. Alejandro Galán 

Since his pairing with Lebrón in 2020, Galán had a breakthrough in his padel career. The 27-year-old Spanish player has already secured his position as the president of the Professional Padel Association. For any beginner aiming to advance to a professional level, Galán is a true inspiration. 

Top Female Padel Players 

1. Delfina Brea Senesi  

The third prominent name among female padel champions, Delfina Brea Senesi began her professional padel journey at a young age in Argentina. She is widely admired for her powerful smashes, court intelligence, and calm decision-making under pressure. Over the years, Delfina has partnered with several best padel players and consistently delivered strong performances across international tournaments.  

2. Gemma Triay Pons 

Gemma Triay Pons is one of the most accomplished players in women’s padel history. Known for her exceptional control, tactical awareness, and all-round court coverage, she has been a dominant force on the professional circuit for years. Gemma has won multiple titles on the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel circuits with different partners. 

3. Ariana Sanchez Fallada  

Ariana Sánchez Fallada, a female padel champion, has pursued WPT’s No. 1 spot since 2016. Nicknamed ‘magic’ for her perfect shots, she holds 22 WPT titles and a World Championship. Arian is ranked No. 3 in WPT and No. 1 in FIP and boasts a 72%-win rate.   

Final Words

With the continuous evolution in the global padel scenario, the competition for the top position also grows fiercer with every passing year. The players securing the top positions today may not be the ones in the same position tomorrow. This demands the players showcase exceptional skill, strategy, and mental toughness through consistent play.

The article lists some of the best padel players in the present time. The players have rightfully earned their position through their consistent hard work. Their achievements have made them deserve the top rankings as they match the criteria of WPT and the FIP. As the rankings change and new talents continue to emerge, one thing is clear: Padel is in for an exciting ride ahead.

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