Key Takeaways
- Mike Yanguas said he cannot bring himself to watch Spain’s 2024 final defeat against Argentina again: “I still haven’t watched a single point of that match.”
- Recalling the anguish he felt during the loss, the world number 9 said: “I know perfectly well what I went through inside that day.”
- After being selected for Spain’s 12-player provisional squad for Qatar 2026, Yanguas said: “We have to go all out to become world champions, whoever else is there.”
The scars remain from a thrilling World Championship finale
Spain and Argentina’s 2024 FIP World Padel Championships final ended with one of the most painful twists of the sport’s modern era. Paquito Navarro and Mike Yanguas won the opening set of the decisive third match, but Tino Libaak and Leo Augsburger fought back to prevail 3-6, 7-5, 7-6. Augsburger was visibly injured during the closing games, yet the Argentine pair secured the title in a tense final tie-break and left Spain agonizingly short.
The trophy ceremony did not bring an end to the pain for those on the losing side. During an interview with Padel Review, Yanguas became visibly emotional as he described the impact the match had on him. The player from Motril revealed that he makes every effort not to see footage of that afternoon.
“I still haven’t watched a single point of that match,” admitted the Andalusian. “Every time something comes up, I skip it; I’ve never watched it.”
Revisiting the crucial stages of the match
Spain had looked firmly in command of the contest for gold before it escaped their grasp. Now ninth in the world, Yanguas still views the frustration he experienced that afternoon as an intensely personal matter.
“I know perfectly well what I went through inside that day,” Yanguas conceded while explaining the contest’s profound emotional impact on him.
The young Spaniard and experienced partner Navarro began the deciding match with enormous confidence. Even so, Yanguas accepted that their opponents fully merited praise for capturing the championship in such difficult circumstances.
“I saw myself as the favorite playing against Paco, but they managed to turn it around and win,” he said. Although the disappointment remains, he also showed respect in defeat by adding: “We have to congratulate them because they played very well. That’s sport.”
Yanguas targets World Championship redemption in 2026
With almost two years having passed since that painful result, the international stage is coming into focus again. Qatar will host the next FIP World Padel Championships from November 2-7, 2026, giving Spain a chance to return to the summit. National coach Juanjo Gutierrez has included Yanguas in his preliminary 12-man group, and the player is hoping to secure one of the eight final places for Doha.
Yanguas wants to use the disappointment of 2024 as motivation to win a trophy. Addressing the opportunity for redemption, he said with conviction: “It wouldn’t be bad if we could make amends this year,” “We have to go all out to become world champions, whoever else is there.”
Triay and Brea’s Paris form, results and ranking
Triay and Brea have compiled a 52-11 win-loss record as a team in 2026. Their most recent appearance ended in a 6-4 6-2 semifinal defeat on September 12 against Fernandez (world no.6) and Calvo (world no.8).
Paris results, ranking and form for Triay and Brea
Together, Triay and Brea own a 52-11 record in 2026. They last competed on September 12, when Fernandez (world no.6) and Calvo (world no.8) beat them 6-4 6-2 in the semifinal.
