Paquito Navarro's controversial exhibition shot sparks padel rule debate

Spanish padel star Paquito Navarro delivered a spectacular point during an exhibition match in Ibiza that quickly went viral. The shot has ignited a debate among players and fans over whether it complied with padel regulations, because the ball was struck while still on the opponent’s side of the net – an action that would be illegal if the ball had not yet crossed the net.

Navarro, who announced that the 2026 World Championships in Doha will be his last major event, paired with Martin Di Nenno for the upcoming P1 Pretoria tournament in South Africa. The duo previously reached the semifinals in Bordeaux and Malaga before losing to Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia. Their Ibiza exhibition aimed to entertain supporters, yet the contentious point has become a focal point for discussions about the sport’s rule interpretation.