Aimee Gibson: The British Padel Sensation Taking the World by Storm

When Aimee Gibson first picked up a padel racket at the end of 2022 in Dubai, she probably didn't imagine she'd be making history less than three years later. Yet in January 2025, the 34-year-old from Essex achieved something no British female padel player had done before—she broke into the world's top 100 FIP rankings. Today, she stands as Britain's undisputed padel queen, and her meteoric rise is reshaping the sport in the UK.

From Tennis Pro to Padel Pioneer

Here's where Aimee's story gets interesting. She wasn't exactly new to professional sport. Before discovering padel, she spent 15 years as a competitive tennis player—from age 8 until 23—and even reached the top 20 in England's women's rankings. So when she picked up a padel racket, she wasn't starting from zero; she was starting with years of athletic discipline, tactical thinking, and competitive fire.

"When I first started padel, I set a goal to be top 100 in three years," Aimee has said. "I've only been playing for two years and I've already achieved it—which is crazy."​

That achievement landed her on a genuinely exclusive list. She's the first British woman ever to crack the top 100, a milestone that matters far beyond just one player's ranking. It signals that British padel is growing up, that investment in the sport is paying off, and that the path to elite play exists right here on UK courts.

The Signature Shot That Disrupts Everything

Ask Aimee about her favourite shot and she'll light up talking about the chiquita—a delicate, strategic drop shot that gently places the ball at your opponent's feet. It's not flashy. It's not about raw power. It's about rhythm, disruption, and tactical brilliance.​

The chiquita is pure chess. Instead of forcing an aggressive winner, it changes the entire tempo of play, forces your opponent to scramble forward, and creates space for the next shot. It's the kind of shot that separates thinking players from merely athletic ones.

This choice tells you something about Aimee's game. She's not a power hitter trying to dominate through speed and strength. At 160cm tall, she can't outmuscle her opponents anyway. Instead, she's a strategic thinker who understands the geometry of padel—how to move opponents, create openings, and execute with precision. It's a lesson for any aspiring padel player: the game isn't just about hitting harder; it's about hitting smarter.

2025: The Year Everything Changed

If 2024 was Aimee's breakthrough year, 2025 has been something else entirely. Here's what she's accomplished:

• January 2025: Back-to-back FIP Silver titles in Australia with partner Catherine Rose, which propelled her into the top 100. The pair dropped just three games across their opening three rounds in Melbourne before dismantling the top seeds 6-3, 6-2.​

• June-November 2025: A stunning end-of-season run that included wins in Hong Kong, Greece, and Bahrain—three consecutive tournament victories with Spanish partner Alba Pérez. This incredible streak elevated her career-high ranking to world No. 81 by December.​

• December 2025: Victory at the inaugural LTA Padel National Championships, becoming the first-ever British champion in this prestigious event (again with Catherine Rose).​

Look at that trajectory and you'll notice something crucial: Aimee doesn't just win tournaments; she wins them consistently, in different countries, with different partners, against top-ranked opponents. That's not luck—that's a sign of genuine world-class competitiveness.

What to Watch Out For

Here are the things that make Aimee Gibson special—and what to look for in her future tournaments:

1. Her Mental Strength: In a podcast interview about the mental game in padel, Aimee emphasized that mental toughness outweighs technical skills. Watch how she handles pressure points in matches—the way she resets after dropping a set, or how she approaches crucial break points. That's where champions are built.​

2. Her Left-Handed Advantage: Playing left-handed gives padel players an inherent advantage because opponents see fewer left-handed shots in training. Combined with her tactical awareness, this is a genuine weapon.

3. Her Partnership Chemistry: Aimee has shown she can succeed with multiple partners (Catherine Rose, Alba Pérez, Paula Canivell Varona), which suggests she's adaptable and communicates well on court. In doubles-dependent padel, this is everything. If she finds a long-term partner and builds serious rapport, watch out—she could climb even higher.​

4. Her Top 50 Target: After breaking into the top 100, Aimee's stated goal is to reach the top 75 by the end of 2025. As of January 2026, she's already at world No. 84, well on her way.​

   
   

Why This Matters for British Padel

Aimee Gibson isn't just a great player—she's a catalyst. When she broke into the top 100, other British players weren't far behind. Catherine Rose (British No. 2) sits in the top 120, and Tia Norton isn't far behind. The LTA has set an ambitious goal: at least two players in the top 100 and 10 in the top 200 by 2029.​

Aimee is proving it's possible. She's the role model that shows younger British players the path works. She's the evidence that you don't need to be Spanish or Argentine to compete at the highest level of padel. And she's the inspiration that's driving investment in grassroots padel across the UK.

The Path Forward

At 34, Aimee could have retired happy once she achieved the top 100. Instead, she's hungry. Her next target is the top 50, and if her recent form continues, it's far from impossible. More ambitiously, she's beginning to compete in Premier Padel events, the global tour featuring the world's absolute elite.

What makes her special isn't just her ranking or her titles. It's her journey—from tennis veteran to padel pioneer in less than three years. It's her tactical intelligence and her love for the game. It's her willingness to share her knowledge and inspire the next generation of British players.

So next time you're looking for a British padel player to follow, know this: Aimee Gibson is the real deal. She's breaking barriers, shifting perceptions about what British padel can be, and doing it with style—one perfectly placed chiquita at a time.

Quick Facts to Remember

• GB Ranking: No. 1

• World Ranking: No. 84 (career-high November 2025)

• Age: 34

• Turned Pro: 2023

• Favourite Shot: Chiquita

• Current Coaches: Juan Alday and Alejandro Grilo

• Key Partners: Catherine Rose (British player), Alba Pérez (Spanish player)

• Major Sponsors: Corte Sport, LTA Performance Pathway

• Career Titles: 6 FIP titles

• Historic Achievement: First British female player in FIP top 100 (January 2025)