Juan Martín Díaz on his next adventure: ”I will continue to play”

One of the sport's greats, Juan Martin Díaz, has ended his successful career. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca, he explains his decision.

With almost 14 years as world number one, Juan Martin Diaz will forever be one of the main references in world padel. Now the Spanish player's remarkable 30-year journey at the highest level has come to an end.

He says goodbye to the court at the age of 48, putting an end to a successful professional career that has turned him into a legend.

— First of all because I'm 48 years old and also because everything hurts when I stand up, it's not the same as before. Honestly, I never played padel for money, nor did I do it for the honour of winning or being the best, I did it because it is my passion, my hobby, my sport and my job," he tells Marca.

He continues:

— I didn't even realise when it became a job, I went to school and travelled from Wednesday to Sunday and it was something normal for me. Then I came to Spain, a big change, but I was always guided by what I liked and grew together with the sport.

JMD: ”I will continue to play”

At the end of November, he said goodbye to the professional tour. But this weekend we saw him on the court again as he took part in the Hexagon Cup with Paquito Navarro and Momo Gonzalez.

— At the moment things are going well, and as I said the other day, this is a gift to me. To play in Madrid with my people, in my home and in such a nice tournament is great for me because I played in Mexico very nervous, that's why I don't take this as a retirement but as an addition to my career. I played calmly, although I was nervous before.

The padel career is not over for JMD. A new challenge awaits him in the US where he will help the sport grow. The legend will also play in the North American "Pro Padel League".

— I am leaving professional padel but I am still in padel, I have gone to live in Miami and I have a project in my hands called Reserve to help the sport grow there. It's a difficult challenge because I'm bringing my whole family there, but padel needs to enter the American market.

He continues:

— I will also continue to play in the Padel Pro League, the North American league, because I still train almost the same way as before, although in Miami it is more difficult because there are not so many facilities.