The history behind the Paquito Navarro and Sanyo Gutierrez partnership
The channel dives into the rich history between Paquito Navarro and Sanyo Gutierrez, two of the most talented and charismatic players in professional padel. Their partnership is not new—this will be their third stint together after previous collaborations in 2016 and 2017. The video sets the stage by revisiting their early careers: Paquito, once hailed as the young player with the most promise, and Sanyo, a technical magician already established among the elite.
Back in 2015, Paquito was making waves with Mati Diaz, reaching the world number two spot, while Sanyo, alongside Maxi Sanchez and Juani Mieres, was ranked fifth. The era was dominated by the legendary Bela-Lima duo, who set a near-unbreakable standard by winning 13 out of 16 titles that season. Against such formidable opposition, Paquito and Sanyo’s initial partnership faced an uphill battle from the start.
Their first run as a team: near glory and tough rivals
In 2016, Paquito and Sanyo joined forces with a clear goal: to dethrone Bela and Lima and become world number one. Despite their ambition, the Bela-Lima pair proved nearly unbeatable, winning 12 of 16 tournaments that year. Paquito and Sanyo managed to secure 3 titles and reached 8 finals, but lost 7 of those finals to their dominant rivals. Still, they established themselves as the world’s number two pair—a remarkable achievement given the era’s competition.
The following year, 2017, marked the peak of their partnership. They started strong, famously defeating Bela and Lima in an epic televised match in Santander, which remains one of the most-watched games in World Padel Tour history. Throughout the season, the two pairs alternated victories, with Paquito and Sanyo capturing 5 titles and appearing in 6 finals—all against Bela and Lima. Despite their success, Bela and Lima retained the top spot with 8 titles, and the strain of constant high-stakes competition began to show in Paquito and Sanyo’s partnership.
The reasons for their 2017 split and what followed
As the channel explains, the separation was not due to lack of results but rather differences in approach and the toll of intense competition. Sanyo later described the split as a necessity, with both players needing a change after two demanding seasons. Their decision proved wise: both went on to reach world number one status, but with different partners.
Sanyo found immediate success with Maxi Sanchez, forming a “2.0” version of their partnership that dominated the 2018 season with 8 titles and 5 finals, finally breaking Fernando Belasteguín’s long reign at the top. Meanwhile, Paquito teamed up with Juan Martín Díaz and later Pablo Lima, before his breakthrough came alongside Juan Lebron in 2019. Together, Paquito and Lebron became the first all-Spanish pair to reach number one in the world rankings.
Recent seasons and the path to reunion
The channel highlights how both players have experimented with different partners in recent years. Paquito’s recent gamble of playing on the right side did not pay off, prompting a return to his favored left position alongside Fede Chingotto. Together, they reached 5 finals in 2023 but struggled to overcome the dominant Coello-Tapia duo, finishing as the fourth-best pair of the season.
Sanyo’s 2023 was marked by instability. He began the year with Belasteguín, reaching the final in Doha, but the partnership dissolved unexpectedly. He then paired with Momo González, reaching two finals in Denmark and Marbella before a string of poor results led to another split. Sanyo briefly teamed up with his nephew Agustin, seeking renewed motivation and form.
Motivation and expectations for the 2024 season
The creator emphasizes that motivation is the key driver behind the new Paquito-Sanyo partnership. Both players have reportedly turned down offers from higher-ranked partners to reunite, signaling a strong commitment to the project. For the first time in their careers, both finished a season without a single title—Paquito since 2014 and Sanyo since 2011—which has fueled their hunger for success in 2024.
Their experience is now greater, and both have learned from past mistakes. The channel notes that Sanyo has previously succeeded when reuniting with former partners, as seen with Maxi Sanchez. For Paquito, this is his first time repeating a partnership, and it comes with the player he’s spent the most seasons alongside.
Potential challenges and tactical considerations for the new pair
Despite their pedigree, the channel points out several challenges. Both players are now older—Sanyo will be 40 and Paquito 35 in 2024—and may lack the physical explosiveness of younger pairs like Coello-Tapia. They are not known for consistently generating winners, and the risk of old issues resurfacing remains.
Another potential hurdle is their training arrangements. Sanyo is based in Alicante, training at his academy with Claudio Gilardoni, while Paquito has adapted to various coaches depending on his partner. The question of coaching and logistics could impact their consistency throughout the season.
Predictions and the channel’s ratings for the new partnership
Looking ahead, the creator believes the new Paquito-Sanyo duo will be especially dangerous on slower courts and expects them to break their title drought. Their combined experience and renewed motivation make them a formidable threat, even if overtaking the likes of Coello-Tapia or the Superpibes for the number one ranking may be a stretch.
- Motivation: Very high – both players are eager to return to winning ways
- Experience: Among the best in the sport, with multiple finals and titles
- Physicality: Slightly below the top younger pairs, but compensated by skill
- Consistency: Expected to improve thanks to lessons learned from past seasons
- Title prospects: The channel predicts they will not go another season without winning at least one title
In summary, the channel views the reunion of Paquito Navarro and Sanyo Gutierrez as one of the most intriguing storylines for the 2024 Premier Padel season. Their partnership brings together two of the sport’s brightest minds, and while challenges remain, their shared ambition and history suggest they will be a pair to watch closely.
