Coquito Zamora, the Chosen One: Rome cheers for the young padel phenom

He’s only 16 (he’ll turn 17 in June), but for many, he’s already seen as a future star. Juan “Coquito” Zamora stole the show once again at the FIP Silver Mediolanum Padel Cup in Rome, where he’s the youngest player in the main draw and just reached his second consecutive semifinal in a CUPRA FIP Tour event, after making it to the same stage last week in Caltanissetta. It’s a rapid rise for the kid from Osuna, already a junior world champion with Spain at the 2023 FIP Juniors World Padel Championships in Asunción.

Pure talent, a champion’s hunger, and a huge desire to learn: since joining the Gustavo Pratto Academy a few months ago, Coquito has made big strides. Since the beginning of the year, he’s reached the round of 16 at the FIP Bronze La Cala, the quarterfinals at the FIP Gold Paredes, and — most notably — the round of 16 at the P2 in Gijón, before going on this back-to-back semifinal run in Italy. “Padel is growing a lot here, it’s the perfect place to gain experience and discover new places, especially Rome, which has become one of the most important cities for this sport”, he said after winning the quarterfinal with José Sánchez against Van Opstal /Cuesta.

Coquito also reflected on his progress so far in 2025: “José and I are really happy, we’re improving a lot as a team and I’m sure we’ll reach even bigger goals because we’re working really well together”. And speaking of progress, with a coach like Pratto by his side, the obvious question — after Coello — is when it’ll be his turn to reach number one. Coquito smiles, but keeps the calm of someone beyond his years: “He’s an incredible coach, he knows this sport inside out, and he’s really helping me grow, both as a player and as a person. Hopefully, we’ll be up there at the top of world padel soon, with Pratto guiding us, he’s teaching us so much”.