Jon Sanz faces 2026 with renewed enthusiasm and top-level challenges. The Navarrese player is one of the protagonists of the Hexagon Cup Media Daya competition in which he defends the colors of the team Robert Lewandowski and share track … con Agustín Tapiacurrent number one in the world.
Beyond his participation in the Hexagon Cupthe man from Pamplona is already looking to the immediate future. In Premier Padel 2026 he will once again join his path to that of Coqui Nietowith whom he lived some of the most outstanding moments of his career, including the triumph in the Final Master of 2024. Furthermore, the next World appears marked in red on his calendar, with the aim of wearing the Spanish national team shirt again and removing the thorn of the painful final loss against Argentina in 2024.
– Jon, we are at the Hexagon Cup, where he defends the colors of Robert Lewandowski’s team. Furthermore, he does so as a couple with Agustín Tapia, number one in the world. How do you feel sharing the court with him?
– The truth is that very good. It is already the fourth time we have played together and, for me, it is a pleasure to be able to play alongside the number one in the world. I have to enjoy it and go out to win, but above all Agustín is a teammate who makes it very easy for me, so it is a real pleasure.
– In the memories of many fans is the final of the Barcelona Master that he played with Coki Nieto. Now they are joining their paths again for Premier Padel 2026. How do you find him on the court?
– Very good, really. We haven’t started training together yet, but with Coki it’s very easy to play. He is a very consistent player, very reliable, and I have very nice memories of our time together. I really want to start training with him.
– That year they won the Master’s Degree and, even so, they decided to separate their paths. Many people wondered why this separation occurred. What happened at that moment?
– We had previously talked about separating our paths. It is true that everything went very well in the Master’s, but we were both a little tired. I think mentally we both needed a change, and that’s how we dealt with it.
– Do you think that this time apart could be good for you now to face this new stage with more energy?
– Completely. That time has been good for both of us. I think we have both grown in different aspects and we really want to fight this season. I am convinced that we will do it well.
– You have recently moved to Dubai. Who are you training with there and how is the preseason going? Is it very different from what you did before?
-We are going to alternate. Coki will come to Dubai and I will also travel to Spain to train. In my case, I am training with Cristian, who has come with me. I am very happy, we are having a very good preseason and I am already looking forward to finishing this week to return to Dubai and continue training there with him.
– There in Dubai, do you notice that there is enough level to train at the highest level? Is it a preparation close to what will be found in Saudi Arabia?
– Yes, the climate is very similar and there are many high-level people to train. There are players who have competed in Premier Padel and the training sessions are demanding. The facilities are impressive and we are very happy there. I think it is a good place to continue growing.
– Now the Hexagon Cup is taking place in Madrid in the cold and, right after, the first Premier tournament of the year will arrive in totally different conditions. How do you approach that key week between competitions?
– It’s a very important week. You have to try to do everything as best as possible, close the work well with the team. Luckily, my fitness trainer and physiotherapist will be coming with me to Dubai that week before, so we’ll get everything ready for Riyadh. Starting the year well is essential.
– 2026 is the year of the World Cup. You were in 2024 and that thorn in the final lost against Argentina remained. Is it a goal to return to the national team and seek revenge?
– Yes, without a doubt. There are many teams that are raising the level a lot, but our rival to beat is still Argentina. I would love to go again. The 2024 experience was very good, although the defeat was very hard, one of the hardest moments of my career. I really want to return and it is a clear goal for me.
– This year there are also regulatory changes, such as the serve. Are they training him already?
– Yes, it is something we have to train. In fact, next week in Dubai we will work on it with Cristian. The serve is very important and you have to adapt so that they are not constantly calling you fouls and you do not lose concentration.
– Another change is the “start point”. Are you convinced by this new format or do you prefer the traditional advantage or the golden point?
– The truth is that I don’t like it. In the end it seems that we are a calculator, counting how many alike we have and how many we don’t. It’s something new and you’ll have to get used to it, but I don’t agree with it. It seems a bit confusing to me.
– As a young man he was already surprising for his power in finishing. What would you say is your best shot today?
– I think the wall descent is a shot that I execute well. Also the viper, I don’t shoot it badly, but above all the wall exit is my best shot. The shot for three was before, now I don’t even move the ball (laughs). I hit it better for three than for forwards but I stick with the wall exit.
