Triay/Brea, queens of Rome: Gemma also takes the no.1

The previous tournaments had already hinted at it, and Rome simply confirmed it: today, in women’s padel, the pair to beat is no longer Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria, but Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea. The Spanish-Argentinian duo had already won the season’s first Major in Doha, and doubled up by winning the BNL Italy Major at the Foro Italico, overcoming the former dominators with a 6-4 6-4 victory. Alongside their slipping titles, Sanchez and Josemaria also appear to be losing their edge. While they still hold the world No.1 team ranking (though the margin is narrowing), Gemma has overtaken both individually — and this time, the switch at the top feels more permanent than the brief stint after the South American tour.

In Rome, Triay and Brea secured their fifth title of the season, just like the five consecutive games (from 3-4 to 6-4 2-0) that decided the final, which they controlled from start to finish. Sanchez and Josemaria looked far from their best, especially during the middle part of the match — the moment when Gemma took charge and showed why she’s set to reclaim the top ranking on Monday. She hit the crucial break at 5-4 with a powerful smash, and closed the match with two more consecutive smashes after saving two break points that could have led to 5-5. In the second set, Brea and Triay surged ahead to 4-1 and — despite a few hiccups — managed their lead well, sealing the win in 1 hour and 51 minutes.

As mentioned, Gemma will become world No.1 again thanks to her second Rome title (the first came in 2023 with Marta Ortega) and third consecutive Major victory. A milestone made even sweeter by the fact it came in a tournament she dominated — and did so in front of her parents, her partner (and fellow player) Carolina Orsi, and a crowd that adores her more than any other player. In 2025, Triay and Brea have played 10 tournaments, winning five (reaching eight finals), including both Majors. A record worthy of the true world number one pair.