The pioneers of Spanish pickleball: “We are going with everything to the European”

They define it as an easy sport for the family, for all ages. Pickleball is here to stay. A mix of badminton, pin pong, paddle tennis and tennis that, with very little, has more than 50 million fans in the United States, a mass phenomenon. With his arrival in Spain and, after a long journey, The fashionable sport will celebrate its first European Championship from November 22 to 24 in Southampton (England), with the national team as one of the favorites.

Full of enthusiasm, Martin Suarez (La Plata, 1974) and Sabrina Mendez (Madrid, 1988) visit MARCA to talk about expectations for the first international competition and the rise of pickleball in Spain. As a coach, Martín trusts in his 12 teams, six women and six men with three for each category – the senior and the senior (over 50) -. ““It will be a door to Spanish pickleball so that they continue to believe that this sport is going further.”confesses the Argentine. Together with England they are favorites to lift the title“They have the home court factor, but we go with everything,” encourages Martín.

I dare to say that she (Sabrina) is one of the best in the world

Martín Suárez, Spanish pickleball coach

As captain he was clear about who to call first. Sabrina Mendezdescribed by him as ““One of the best players in Europe and I dare say one of the best in the world.”. Despite starting pickleball just two years ago, Sabrina has had a racket in her hand her entire life. “Now I dedicate myself exclusively to pickleball, it is giving me an opportunity to learn and I also want to teach it, make it known and be able to play against the best players in the world,” says the Madrid native, recently champion of Spain along with his partner Glauka Carvajal, also called up for the European Championship.

Along with them, ten more shovels will fight to be European champions. Among them, six over 50 years old. Category played by Martín, also champion of Spain in 2022, who recognizes that his chosen ones are grateful for the trust, after thinking that they would never get to defend the colors of their country.

Being a sport deeply rooted in the United States, pickleball will have to wait beyond Los Angeles 2028 to be Olympica dream for Sabrina. For his part, Martín acknowledges that “we believed, at least because of the rumors, that this is going to be the 2028 Olympic Games because of all the fury it has had. But hey, as we always say, keep working, keep growing. They had that opportunity to show their peak in their country. But it is a shame, yes.” The one from La Plata, despite having only been in Spain for six years, admits that he would represent Spain before Argentina, a decision that he recognizes with laughter after a long debate.

A pioneering selection

With a long road ahead, Martín and Sabrina are part of the first spanish team. A generation of pioneers that will open the way: “We continue taking steps, it is already practiced in many schools and institutes, which is essential for it to be known from the base,” explains the Madrid native.

It is a lot of effort from those of us who come from below. We know that nobody gave us anything

Martín Suárez, Spanish pickleball coach

For his part, Martín has come further: “It is a lot of effort from those of us who come from below. We know that nobody gave us anything. The players are clear that if they are there it is because of their merit.

Gone are the times when they marked the tracks with masking tape and, although they hope that more private investment will arrive, pickleball is now a realityit is a professional sport. They have taken the first step, a path in which Martín recognizes that he is seeing the light.