Triay Takes the IPPA Throne, Padel Becomes a €6 Billion Industry

Gemma Triay is now the most powerful woman in padel — and not just because of her ranking.

The world number one took over as provisional president of the International Padel Players Association (IPPA) this week after Lucía Sainz resigned on May 19. The IPPA board accepted the resignation and thanked Sainz for her work strengthening women's padel. Triay stepped in immediately.

Think about what this means. The best female player on the planet now speaks for every female player in the sport. She competes against the people she represents. She negotiates with the tours she dominates. It's rare in any sport for an active number one to also lead the union — the closest comparison is Djokovic creating the PTPA in tennis.

Triay's timing is interesting. Prize money equity in padel still lags. Tour conditions, calendar input, player welfare — these are all live issues. With both on-court dominance and off-court authority, she has the platform to push for change in ways no one else can.

The question is whether she can balance competition and governance. The Italy Major starts next Saturday. Triay will be competing for a title at the Foro Italico while also carrying the weight of every player's expectations off the court.

Meanwhile, the business side of padel had its own headline week. The Padel World Summit opens tomorrow in Barcelona, and the numbers are staggering. The Global Padel Report 2025 (Playtomic with PwC) values the padel industry at around €2 billion. The projection? €6 billion by end of 2026. Over 6,000 professionals and 140 companies will gather at Fira de Barcelona for three days of deals, startups, and strategy.

From player governance to billion-euro projections, this was the week padel proved it's no longer just a sport. It's an industry.

Source: Marca — Triay asume la presidencia, Economia Digital — Padel World Summit 2026, El Periódico — PWS auge global