Get to know the players that improved the most in 2018

A meteoric rise in 2018, that's what all of these players have in common. In a season that went down in history in women's padel, not only because of the standard of play, but because the first ever WOpen was played, as well as there being more women World Padel Tour tournaments than ever. New faces have erupted on the scene and clinched their opportunity to be among the best.

Raquel Piltcher (Pelotas, Brazil, 16/06/1991)

After having just played 6 matches in 2017, last season the player coached Neki Berwig finally broke through. Piltcher achieved her best results with Nicole Traviesa. A total of 7 main draw appearances, including 18 wins, have taken her from 119th to 54th in the world. A rise of 65 spots which is better than anyone else.

Raquel Segura (Torremolinos, Malaga. 12/03/2001)

This extremely young player from Malaga has managed to forge her way into the elite. She's one of the young gems of Spanish padel and showed glimpses of her tremendous quality. The lefty rose 50 places in the rankings and is now in the top 50.

Xenia Clascá (Barcelona, 23/09/2001)

In 2018 she played with Noelia Márquez and Laia Bonilla. A season in which she reached the main draw five times. Her best result was two last sixteen appearances and the sense is that the best is yet to come from this Catalan. Her 18 wins helped her rise 47 positions from 107th to 60th.

The most notable debuts

In 2018 a handful of players made their debuts. For some it was simply their first time on tour but for others it was a chance to make a huge impact. Despite being rookies, here are some of the players who have consolidated themselves in just a matter of months.

Virginia Riera (Resistencia, El Chaco, Argentina. 27/09/1988)

Despite being an experienced player, Virginia Riera decided to make a definitive transition onto the World Padel Tour by moving to Spain. Her extraordinary control from the forehand court and intelligence on court have helped her to reach the top 25. She's played with Lorena Alonso and Ana Fernández de Ossó this season, achieving 19 wins and 1370 points, proving that she belongs at the top.

Alix Collombon (Lyon, France, 17/03/1993)

After having given professional tennis a go, the French player completed a historic 2018 campaign. She's versatile, elegant and powerful, and is coached by Juan Alday. Alongside Sara Pujals, Collombon reached the quarter finals at the Murcia Open 2018. An unprecedented result for French padel which was the icing on the cake for a formiddable season. Collombon has put France on the padel map and is now ranked 29th on the World Padel Tour.