Marta Marrero is one of the most important players in the history of women’s padel: a complete competitor, former world number 1, with a background in professional tennis and a legacy marked by power, ambition, and the ability to win in different stages of her career.
Who She Is
Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on January 16, 1983, Marta Marrero had a very uncommon sports career. Before shining in padel, she competed at the highest level in the professional tennis circuit, where she achieved one of the great milestones in Spanish sport by reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2000. That experience at the elite level gave her an extraordinary competitive foundation and a professional mindset that she later successfully transferred to the padel court.
In her second major sports career, Marrero became an absolute reference in women’s padel. A right-handed player and a regular in the backhand position, she stood out for her quick adaptation to the game, her ease in defining points, and her ability to make a difference in crucial moments. She reached the number 1 ranking in the World Padel Tour at two different times: first in 2016 with Alejandra Salazar and then in 2019 with Marta Ortega, a double peak that reflects both her competitive longevity and her ability to reinvent herself with different partners.
Throughout her career, she also formed high-level pairs with players such as Cata Tenorio or Lucía Sainz, and was a regular presence in major tournaments on the national and international calendar. Additionally, she represented Spain in team competitions and helped elevate the physical and offensive standard of modern women’s padel. Her retirement at the end of 2023 marked the end of a career in which she achieved something exceptional: succeeding in two racket sports at the highest level.
Playing Style
Marta Marrero’s game was built on a very clear identity: power, aggressiveness at the net, and a great tactical understanding. Her tennis background was evident in her arm speed, quality of impact, and ease of accelerating the ball when the point demanded it. For years, she had one of the most decisive smashes in the women’s circuit, capable of closing points from complex positions and breaking matches with very few shots.
In attack, she was a player with a heavy volley, deep and very uncomfortable for her opponents. She liked to dominate from the net, take the initiative, and decisively punish any short lobs. From the backhand, she found aggressive angles, maintained rhythm, and knew how to alternate between quick finishing and patient point-building. Although her image was closely associated with the winning shot, her padel went far beyond strength: she also stood out for her competitive experience, her ability to interpret the moments of the match, and her calmness in high-pressure situations.
Another of her distinctive traits was her competitive character. Marrero exuded authority on the court, managed the tension of big matches well, and elevated her level in important events. This blend of skill, ambition, and hitting power made her one of the most influential players of her generation and a key figure in several of the best pairs in contemporary women’s padel.
Achievements
- World number 1 in two different World Padel Tour seasons: 2016 and 2019.
- Winner of more than 25 titles in the professional circuit, among the most notable records of her era.
- Champion of the Masters Finals in 2016 and 2019, two of the great highlights of her padel career.
- Part of high-level pairs alongside Alejandra Salazar, Marta Ortega, Cata Tenorio, and Lucía Sainz.
- Champion of Spain and a regular representative of the Spanish National Team in international competitions.
- Former professional tennis player with a historic quarterfinal at Roland Garros 2000, before becoming a padel star.
- A reference in women’s padel for her competitive legacy, her impact on the offensive game, and her status as an iconic figure until her retirement in 2023.