Former world No.10 Jordi Muñoz says he’s seen “a lot of potential” since being appointed LTA Men’s National Padel Coach, working alongside John Leach.
Muñoz (pictured above with LTA Head of Padel Performance Matt Stanforth and LTA Head of Padel Tom Murray) is head of the JMB Academy in Alicante, which Britain’s top male players including No.1 Christian Medina Murphy have been using as a training base throughout the season.
Muñoz commented: “It happened quite naturally [working with the LTA]. I was coaching three or four of the British players anyway, so the LTA then contacted me about becoming a National Coach and to have a training base out in Spain, and now here we are.”
Having a base where the British players can take advantage of the best coaches in the world is important to their progression, but the academy also offers something unique – an elite performance environment.
Every day the players have exposure to other players at the top of the game and being around them, competing with them and training like them on a daily basis, will only help support player development going forward.
Muñoz is a former tennis pro who switched to padel aged 29 in 2005. He went on to play in four Padel World Cups for Spain, winning it twice, and was also a three-time European champion and reached four Masters finals before retiring in 2022 to focus on coaching and setting up his academy.
In just a short space of time Muñoz has seen promising signs from the British players and believes there is a lot of potential still to uncover.
“For players like Christian [Medina Murphy], the progress I’ve noticed so far has been good,” he said. “But I think he has a lot of potential. He’s only been with me for one year, but I think to become a top professional you need three or four years of working hard and his level is already increasing.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for British players to come here and train, but they can also have the chance to play with other professional players who are training to become the best.
“The possibilities for British padel are very positive, based on the infrastructure, the resources and how the LTA is already looking to invest in its players and pathway. Only good things can come from that.
“Having infrastructure that supports players through their journey is crucial – especially as British padel is still in its infancy.”
Muñoz recently paid his first visit to Great Britain since being named as the LTA Men’s National Coach to come and see the players compete in Stratford at the third FIP RISE tournament in the UK this year.
The event was the third international padel event held in Great Britain this year, supported by a comprehensive calendar of British Padel Tour Grade 1 tournaments for top players.
“It’s very important to have these tournaments in Great Britain,” Muñoz said. “You need somewhere to start, and these are international tournaments where you can play against strong players from around the world as well as the best in Great Britain. I think this experience is crucial.
“I want to see players with a good attitude and the will to compete. You can always improve the level, but if you don’t have this, you can’t reach your full potential.
“The objective for the next year is not just results. It’s the level, it’s the work that the players put in – with this the results will come in the end. We want to lay down the right foundation.
“If we do that well the next generation will hopefully see it and that’s where you start to create a pathway for many years to come.”
