Gemma Triay

Gemma Triay is a Spanish professional padel player from Menorca and a five-time world champion with the Spanish national team. A former tennis player who switched to padel and reached the top of the world rankings within a few years, she is one of the most decorated players in the history of women’s padel.

Biographical Summary

From Tennis to Padel

Gemma Triay was born on 28 June 1992 in Menorca — one of the Balearic Islands. She began her sporting journey at the age of 4 with tennis and trained seriously throughout her youth, aiming for a professional career.

However, fate had other plans. An injury sustained shortly before selection for the professional tennis circuit put an end to those ambitions. In 2010, at the age of 19, a discouraged Triay left tennis behind, moved to Barcelona, and enrolled at university to study languages.

The break from sport lasted three years. In 2013, at the age of 21, her competitive spirit got the better of her, and Triay gave padel a try. Her tennis foundation — shot technique, coordination, and an understanding of ball sports — gave her an enormous advantage. Her progress was rapid: within just 4 years, she had reached the international level.

Rise to Number One

With Lucia Sainz (2016–2020)

Triay’s first major partner was Lucia Sainz. Their partnership began in 2016 and lasted five years. During that time, the pair won 12 WPT titles, and in 2020 Triay and Sainz reached first place in the World Padel Tour rankings.

Triay won her first two professional titles with Sainz in 2017. That same season, she was named the best player on the WPT circuit — an impressive achievement for someone who had taken up padel just four years earlier.

With Alejandra Salazar (2021–2022)

After splitting with Sainz at the end of 2020, Triay teamed up with Alejandra Salazar — another former world number one. Together, they held the top ranking throughout 2021 and 2022, confirming Triay’s status as the strongest left-side player in women’s padel.

With Delfina Brea (2025–present)

In January 2025, Triay began a new partnership with Argentine Delfina Brea. This pairing has become the most successful of Triay’s career to date.

Partnerships

Triay’s ability to dominate with different partners is one of the defining features of her career:

With each new partner, Triay has not merely maintained her level — she has reached new heights. Three different partners, and with each one — the number-one spot in the world.

Playing Style

Triay plays on the left side (reves) — the attacking position that requires a strong backhand and the ability to finish rallies. Her style is a blend of tactical intelligence and consistency inherited from her tennis background.

Strengths

• Tactical thinking — Triay reads the game several moves ahead. Her tennis experience shows in a deep understanding of court geometry and positional play
• Consistency — a minimal number of unforced errors. Triay can sustain long rallies, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake
• Backhand — one of the best in women’s padel. Precise and powerful, it allows her to control the centre of the court
• Overhead shots — confident aerial play, including the bandeja and smash
• Mental resilience — the ability to perform at the highest level in decisive moments

Key Attributes

• Intellectual approach — Triay prefers to win through strategy rather than brute force
• Adaptability — the ability to adjust her game to different partners and opponents
• Leadership — on court, Triay takes charge of the pair’s tactical organisation
• Win percentage — a career rate above 81% — one of the best in the history of women’s padel

Achievements

Titles with the Spanish National Team

Career Milestones

• 2013: Began playing padel
• 2017: First WPT titles, named best player on tour
• 2020: World number one (with Sainz)
• 2021–2022: Held number one (with Salazar)
• 2025: 9 titles, Major with Brea, world number one at end of season

Statistics

[OUTDATED] Rankings and statistics are updated weekly.

Impact on Padel

Triay is not only an outstanding athlete but also a public figure in the padel world:

• IPPA Vice President (International Padel Players Association) — actively involved in protecting players’ interests
• A story of second chances — her transition from tennis to padel inspires athletes who have faced career setbacks
• Promoting women’s padel — Triay’s consistent results draw attention to the women’s tour