Menorca-born Gemma Triay is one of the defining players of modern women’s padel. Having transitioned from tennis to padel, she achieved consecutive world No. 1 finishes in 2021 and 2022. Her combination of precision, power and tactical intelligence has established her as one of padel's most formidable competitors — and an inspiring presence both on and off the court.
"If I had three uninterrupted days to spend anywhere in the world, I'd probably choose a quiet spot near the sea with great food," says Gemma Triay, the world's top-ranked female padel player. "And above all, three days without looking at a clock or a calendar. I think that would be a real luxury."
It’s a dream that could be plucked straight from the white-sand shores of COMO Parrot Cay, the private-island resort in Turks and Caicos where Triay will spend 16th and 17th December hosting a two-day padel camp. Her visit coincides with the opening of two new padel courts, joining the resort’s existing tennis courts and further expanding its racquet-sports programme.
This rare-access COMO Journey is built around time on court with Triay. Guests will have the chance to join intimate 45-minute group sessions limited to just four players, with direct coaching from the world No. 1. A one-set exhibition match will also take place, featuring Triay and Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Director of the Rafa Nadal Academy and sister of tennis legend Rafael Nadal. The first day ends away from the court, with a meet-and-greet cocktail reception and the chance to talk to the players.
The event marks the third collaboration between COMO Parrot Cay and LUX Tennis, following visits by Carlos Alcaraz last year and Hugo Nys earlier this year. But Triay brings a perspective shaped not only by what it takes to reach the top of a rapidly growing sport, but also by what it takes to stay there.
Early in her career, Triay says, it was enough to train harder and compete better. Now, performance "doesn't depend only on what you do on the court". Rest, nutrition and mental focus are all part of the work. "Recovery is part of training," she says. "I used to think that resting was a waste of time. Now I understand that it's exactly the opposite."
She has learnt to read the signs: feeling more tired than usual, struggling to concentrate, needing to switch off. Her routine is simple, built on good sleep, good food and a steady rhythm of training and recovery. "There are days when you need to push harder and others when you need to give it some rest," she says. "At this level, learning to distinguish between the two is crucial."
Perhaps it helps that Triay grew up in Menorca, where the sea and outdoors were part of everyday life long before recovery became a professional concern. Whenever her schedule allows, she spends time outside in nature. Travel is less about ticking off sights than finding small ways into a place: a dish made with the freshest produce, a barefoot walk in the sand, spending time with people she loves, a table where no one is rushing. “I don’t need grand things to feel good,” she says. “Wellbeing lies much more in those small, everyday moments than in any one specific thing.” For an athlete who spends much of the year moving between tournaments, having space to slow down has become important.
For guests at COMO Parrot Cay, the setting offers its own version of that balance. An afternoon on court with the world No. 1 can be followed by a leisurely swim in the sea, a long dinner, a COMO Shambhala wellness treatment, and the simple luxury Triay values most: having nowhere else to be.
The ‘Padel with Gemma Triay’ COMO Journey takes place from 16th to 17th December 2026, in partnership with LUX Tennis. For more information or to book a session with Triay, please contact [email protected].
