A title that changes the reading of the early season
It took more than just a good tournament to turn the story of the start of the year on its head. In Almaty, Kazakhstan, Martín Di Nenno finally launched his 2026 season by winning the FIP Gold alongside Jeronimo “Momo” González, in a 50,000-euro indoor event held at the ADD Padel Almaty from March 31 to April 5. Seeded number 1, the Hispano-Argentine pair held to expectations right to the end, with a controlled final against Javier Leal and Pablo Lijó, won 6-2, 6-3.
The score doesn’t tell the whole story, but it does tell the essential one: Di Nenno needed a strong signal. His 2026 record so far showed a round of 16 in Riyadh, a quarterfinal in Gijón and an early exit in Cancún. Nothing to be alarmed about for a player of his calibre, but still not enough to establish a dynamic or totally reassure a new pairing still in the adjustment phase. This trophy on the CUPRA FIP Tour means that he can finally open his 2026 account, and add a new dimension to his first few weeks of competition.
Context counts too. Prior to the tournament, the FIP presented a strong field, with Di Nenno ranked 12th in the world among the week’s main attractions. And on the court, the favourites quickly established their rhythm: even before the last four, they had conceded just six games in total. This detail speaks volumes of their control in indoor conditions, where the quality of the first volley, net coverage and the management of transitions are often the keys to turning points in matches. We are improving” was the phrase used after the victory, recapping the message sent out from Almaty.
FIP Gold in Almaty: Martín Di Nenno’s breakthrough expected in 2026
This title is worth more than just a line on the trophy cabinet. It gives Di Nenno a breath of fresh air after a trophy-less start to the season, and gives new substance to his partnership with González. In modern padel, where pairs are made and broken quickly, winning early remains an important marker: it validates automatisms, simplifies tactics and boosts confidence in tight situations.
In Almaty, this pair gave the image of a more readable duo. Di Nenno was able to impose his density in the exchange, his sense of tempo and his ability to lock in the transition phases, while González brought speed, coverage and the ability to accelerate when the point opened up. Without overplaying, the two men put together a serious, clean, efficient week, with the blend of control and aggression that often makes the difference in this type of tournament.
For the future, this success should not be seen as an end in itself, but as a point to build on. Di Nenno had not yet found his real launch pad in 2026; he may finally have found it at the FIP Gold in Almaty. Between the raw result, the quality of the final and the signals sent out on the state of the pair, the Argentine leaves with much more than a trophy. His FIP record still showed zero love in 2026 prior to this meeting, while his early elimination in Cancún was a reminder of how bumpy the start had been. Almaty clearly changes the perception of his season.
To remember:
- Martín Di Nenno won his first title of the 2026 season in Almaty.
- With Momo González, he dominated the FIP Gold final against Leal and Lijó, 6-2, 6-3.
- Success comes after a trophy-less start to the year on the first official dates.
- Prior to the semifinals, the pair had conceded just six games in the tournament.
- This title can serve as a sporting and tactics trigger for the rest of the season.
