This morning, Anna Catarina Nogueira, At 45, she faced French duo Alex Colombon and Jessica Genier-Barbier alongside her compatriot Katia Rodriguez. This encounter was not just another match on Nogueira’s watch; it was a testament to her perseverance and longevity in the world of padel, where she has managed to make history on several occasions.
First non-Spanish win in WPT
Ana Catarina Nogueira is the pioneer of Portuguese padel. First player from her country to win a stage on the World Padel Tour (WPT), an impressive feat that is a testament to her talent and determination. Her record becomes even more remarkable when we consider that she accomplished this feat without a Spanish partner… a first in WPT history!
In 2018, during the Arroyo de la Encomienda tournament in Spain, Ana Catarina Noguera and her Argentine partner Delphina prairie Made history by winning the final. It was the first time a pair, with no Spanish players, had won a WPT tournament.
In reality, Catalina Tenorio And Cecilia Reiter Both had previously won WPT stages. But the Argentines then linked up with Spanish partners during their victories.
Although Nogueira and Priya split in 2019, both returned to the ring with new Spanish partners and continued to shine. However, Ana Catarina Nogueira was not done with the records.
Portugal's rise
In 2021, we partnered with Sofia Araujoanother Portuguese player, now ranked 12th in the world. Together they won the Albacete Challenger, becoming the first pair of the same nationality (non-Spanish) to win a WPT tournament. This second success without a Spanish partner makes Ana Catarina Nogueira the only player to have achieved this feat twice.
Today, Ana Catarina Nogueira is still ranked 30 in the worlda great position for someone with such a long career.
Ana Catarina Nogueira will remain in the annals of padel history, not only for her historic victories, but also for her role as a pioneer and role model for future generations of Portuguese and international players. Her journey is a true inspiration and a testament to what can be achieved with talent, hard work and unwavering determination.
Nogueira is not only an exceptional padel player. Before switching to padel, she had a respectable tennis career, representing Portugal at the 36 times in the FA CupThere is no doubt that this experience gave him a solid foundation in terms of technique and competitive mentality, which contributed to his later success on the padel courts.
As a padel enthusiast, I offer you my experience and passion. See you soon on the slopes!
