- An announcement that fits into the big 2026 puzzle
- Profiles: a left-side player and a right-side player
- What this partnership can tell us… on the court
- A first test announced in Catalonia, before the FIP / Premier Padel sequence
- Goal: points – the gateway to the main draws
- What we’ll be watching for in the first few weeks
- Key takeaways
- Useful links (official)
An announcement that fits into the big 2026 puzzle
The 2026 season hasn’t even started, but the puzzle pieces are already falling into place. The latest official pairing: the new 2026 pairing formed by Anna Ortiz and Aída Martínez. The stated goal is clear: to compete together in international tournaments, with their sights set on Premier Padel and the FIP circuit, and to build a more stable trajectory in a tour where partnerships can change very quickly.
Ultimately, this announcement also illustrates a fundamental trend: as the 2026 season approaches, the women’s tour is gradually “locking in,” with duos forming early to be ready for the first events.
Profiles: a left-side player and a right-side player
Anna Ortiz: continuity, confidence, and FIP momentum
On her official profile, Anna Ortiz is listed as left side and is part of that Spanish generation that grew up with the demands of top-level competition. Born in 2005, the Catalan player primarily gained experience and points on the CUPRA FIP Tour: her FIP page notably mentions titles in 2025 at stages in Italy (Palermo) and Norway. In a season where every point can count, this type of “baggage” often weighs more than one might think.
Beyond the victories, her momentum was also built on very busy weeks, with several finals and repeated performances in Bronze and Silver categories: this mix of titles and deep runs offered her a real leap in consistency… and clearer visibility on the tour.
Aída Martínez: steadiness and high-level experience
Aída Martínez, born in 1993, is listed as right side on the FIP website. At 32, she brings a more established profile: a player accustomed to playing “for the long haul” and optimizing weeks where points need to be earned. Her 2025 results on the FIP tour demonstrate an ability to win in different categories, including a FIP Silver title alongside Ana Domínguez, as reported by the FIP.
She, too, is coming off a successful season, marked by titles and very good runs in FIP Silver and Bronze tournaments: the kind of benchmarks that help a pair not to panic when managing tight matches, travel, and the calendar’s demands.
What this partnership can tell us… on the court
On paper, the equation is clear: a left-side player and a right-side player, thus a “natural” distribution of roles, without immediate improvisation. In modern padel, this clarity matters: it accelerates the development of automatic plays (net approaches, transitions, zone management) and avoids wasting time on basic adjustments at the start of a project.
Another interesting detail: their FIP profiles reveal a common point in their entourage, with the name of Juan Cabrera appearing in the coaching information. This is not a sporting guarantee, but it is often a “facilitator”: common language, similar training routines, better aligned expectations.
Furthermore, according to several media reports, the Ortiz / Martínez project could be supervised, notably, by Pablo Ayma. If this is confirmed, it would be a clear signal of ambition: to quickly establish a solid framework to save time on organization, method, and tactical reading.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clear Distribution | A player announced on the left (Ortiz) and one on the right (Martínez), which simplifies their bearings from the first tournaments. |
| Generational Mix | Youth and experience: energy on one side, management and stability on the other, especially during “point-heavy” weeks. |
| FIP Experience | Both profiles have references on the CUPRA FIP Tour, with titles and complete campaigns that build consistency. |
| Step-by-Step Progression | A realistic strategy: first target the main draws and points, before aiming for more ambitious milestones. |
A first test announced in Catalonia, before the FIP / Premier Padel sequence
According to the Spanish press, the pair is set to launch their project on the absolute Catalan circuit, starting in January, before tackling international events. The calendar of the Federació Catalana de Pàdel notably features a “I Slam” scheduled for mid-January, which serves as a competitive benchmark at the start of the year for many players in the region.
This type of “domestic” event is not insignificant: it allows the duo to test themselves without the pressure of a big stage, to validate game patterns (returns, first shots after serve, line coverage), and to make quick decisions on what works… and what needs to be adjusted.
Goal: points – the gateway to the main draws
The key issue, especially for a duo aiming to gain momentum, remains the ranking and access to the main draws. Premier Padel and the FIP have already communicated about the 2026 calendar and changes to the points system, a context that makes collecting points even more strategic throughout the season. At this level, consistency is sometimes worth as much as a one-off “shot.”
This is also where the project makes perfect sense: to more regularly access the main draws, accumulate points, and gradually establish themselves among the significant pairs, without relying on an isolated performance during the year.
For French-speaking fans who want to dive back into the calendar, Actu Padel has also summarized the key dates: Premier Padel 2026: all the key dates to remember.
What we’ll be watching for in the first few weeks
- Zone consistency: who takes which diagonal in crucial moments, and how the duo protects the center.
- Performance in tight games: tie-breaks, break points, moments where experience often wins an “ugly” match.
- Planning: balancing between FIP tournaments (points to be earned) and Premier Padel stages (exposure, level, cut).
- Visible progression: fewer sought-after “flashes,” more matches controlled over time.
Key takeaways
- Anna Ortiz and Aída Martínez have made their partnership official for 2026.
- Their FIP profiles list them respectively on the left (Ortiz) and on the right (Martínez).
- Ortiz comes with FIP momentum (titles mentioned in 2025), Martínez with solid experience and victories on the FIP tour.
- A season start in Catalonia is mentioned before the sequence of international tournaments.
