Spain Sweep Double Gold as Padel Writes Mediterranean History

Spain's Historic Sweep: Men's and Women's Gold in Taranto

Padel closed its debut as a medal sport at the Mediterranean Games with a Spanish double on Saturday, August 28, in Taranto, Italy. David Gala and José Diestro claimed the men's gold medal, while Lucía Sainz and Patty Llaguno won the women's title — the latter in an all-Spanish final that guaranteed the country gold before a single rally was struck. It was the crowning session of a seven-day competition that brought together 88 athletes from 18 nations at the Parco Mediterraneo Salinella, and that formally established padel as a multi-nation medal sport on the Mediterranean stage for the first time.

The XX Mediterranean Games in Taranto gave the sport a platform it had long sought: live coverage in 244 countries and territories, a sold-out central court for the finals, and a format — men's, women's and mixed doubles — that showcased the full breadth of the professional game.

Men's Final: Gala and Diestro Hold Off a Determined Italy

Flavio Abbate and Álvaro Montiel gave the Taranto crowd exactly what it wanted: a fight. The Italian pair pushed Spain's Gala and Diestro "all the way on a sold-out Central Court," according to the Padel FIP match report, but ultimately could not prevent Spain from claiming the gold. Playing on home soil in front of a partisan Italian audience gave Abbate and Montiel an energy boost, yet Gala and Diestro, who had shown their quality throughout the week, held their composure when it mattered.

Spain's path to the men's final had included a 7-5, 7-5 semifinal victory over Portugal's Nuno and Miguel Deus, a result that ended the Deus brothers' impressive run but confirmed Spain as the dominant force in men's padel at these Games. Italy, meanwhile, had overcome France at the semifinal stage to earn their place in the final.

Women's Derby: Sainz and Llaguno Emerge from the All-Spanish Final

The women's gold medal match carried a unique dynamic: Nuria Rodríguez and Jimena Velasco faced their own compatriots Sainz and Llaguno, meaning Spain's gold was secured the moment the draw was finalised. What remained to be decided was which Spanish pairing would lift the trophy. Sainz and Llaguno, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished pairings in the history of the professional game, handled the pressure of an intra-national final with greater authority and claimed the title.

Italy's women's pair, Orsi and Marchetti, had been knocked out at the semifinal stage by the Spanish teams, leaving the final as an entirely Spanish affair. For the neutral, the image of two Spanish pairs contesting an international gold medal final was a striking illustration of just how deep the country's women's game runs.

Araujo Siblings Deliver Portugal's First Mediterranean Padel Gold

The mixed doubles final produced the most emotionally resonant result of the entire week. Sofia and Pedro Araujo of Portugal defeated Italy's Marco Cassetta and Giulia Dal Pozzo to give their country its first-ever Mediterranean Games padel gold medal. The achievement carries particular weight: Sofia Araujo, ranked eighth in the FIP world standings, was the highest-ranked player at the entire Taranto event, and she delivered a performance fully worthy of that status alongside her brother.

"Playing with your family is a unique feeling, and doing it for your country makes it even more special," Sofia had said ahead of the mixed competition. On court, the Araujos backed every word. Cassetta and Dal Pozzo, competing in front of a home crowd desperate for a third Italian gold, pushed the Portuguese pair hard, but could not find the winning formula.

France collected the mixed bronze through Louise Bahurel and Dylan Guichard, who recovered from their semifinal defeat to secure the podium place and give French padel its first-ever Mediterranean Games medal.

What Comes Next

With the Taranto chapter closed, the tour moves immediately to Spain. The Comunidad de Madrid Premier Padel P1 by Oysho begins its qualifying rounds today, August 29, at Pro Padel Coslada, with the main draw at the Movistar Arena running from September 1 to 6. The tournament arrives loaded with additional significance: it will be the final professional event of Alejandra Salazar — 62 titles, seven world championships, four stints as world number one — before the Spanish legend retires at the close of the 2026 season. Her farewell tribute is scheduled for the afternoon of September 6, between the women's and men's finals.