Stratford title, closing in on the top 100 & training with a world-leading coach – interview with padel star Christian Medina Murphy
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Britain’s No.1 men’s padel star Christian Medina Murphy is flying high off the back of winning a home FIP title for the first time over the weekend.
The 26-year-old joined forces with Spain’s Alberto Garcia Jimenez to lift the FIP Rise Stratford trophy after defeating Manuel Herrera and Roberto Pastor 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
The title recognises another year of continued progress for Britain’s leading padel player on the Cupra FIP Tour as he looks to break into the top 100 and place himself amongst the biggest stars in the game.
We caught up with Medina Murphy off the back of his win in Stratford to get his thoughts on the season so far, his progress in the last year, playing for GB and his next goals.
“It’s very special to win a tournament in London – it’s my first one in the UK,” he said, speaking to us ahead of a flight to Chile for his next tournament.
“It was a great week – I was able to come and stay with my sister while I was competing, and it was my first time playing at Stratford as well. I think it’s one of the best clubs in the UK – they are doing a really good job in growing and promoting the sport – it’s fantastic to see.
“I think the main key to our success last week was how we came together as a team – both Alberto and I but also Jordi (Muñoz) on the bench coaching. There was a real togetherness, and we fought for the trophy as a team, which was really positive. It was great for us to have someone like Jordi here with us at an important tournament.”
I’m continuing to develop as a player and I have improved my ranking to world No.120, but you always want more.
LTA Men’s National Coach, Muñoz, is a world renowned former padel player turned coach who has been at the top of the game throughout his career.
He joined the LTA padel team at the end of 2023 and has been working with British players at his JMB Academy in Alicante. Having a base where the British players can access some of the best coaches in the world, is vitally important to their progression and is something that Medina Murphy has been taking full advantage of.
“Having Jordi with the GB team is amazing,” he explained. “He has so much experience as a player and as a coach. He was in the top eight as a player and has been coaching some of the best players in the world.
“I train with him in Alicante and it’s now been a year since I joined him at his academy – he’s great to work with and to have him as part of the team is definitely going to help me and GB achieve more in the future.”
Medina Murphy’s work with Muñoz, having another full season on tour and an impressive attitude to training and development has seen him enjoy his best year in padel to date.
The latest LTA padel strategy outlines a goal to have at least two players inside the top 100 over the next three years and the British No.1 is well on his way to achieving that aim. Two titles and picking up results in higher ranked tournaments has him currently at a career-high ranking of world No.120.
“It’s been a really good year for me,” he said. “I’m continuing to develop as a player and I have improved my ranking to world No.120, but you always want more. Now I’m trying to work harder to keep progressing so let’s see how far I can go.
“Reaching the top 100 is one of my main aims. I think I can do it and I’m close now, but it’s tough to keep climbing the rankings. Whether I can do it this year or next year, it’s definitely my top goal and it would be really special if I can achieve that.
“I’m improving as a player all the time and for me, outside of the titles, that’s the most important thing. If you work hard, you don’t have guarantees of good results, but it’s the only way you’re going to get close to achieving your full potential.
“I’m doing as many hours on court as I can, I’m working with the nutritionist and three months ago I also started speaking to a sports psychologist as well so I can improve in all areas of my game and ultimately, get better results.”
It’s always a pleasure to represent Great Britain, to be around the team and to give my all to achieve better results. I want to be a part of that team for every year that I can.
A reward for his strong performances in FIP Promotion and FIP Rise tournaments this year has been opportunities to compete in qualification for Premier Tour events, as well as representing GB once again on the world stage.
“Playing in Premier Padel is amazing,” he admitted. “It’s the biggest tour in padel and it’s my dream to be competing there on a regular basis. It gives you the chance to compete against the best players in the world, which is only going to help me develop and improve as well.
“The European Championships for GB this year was tough. We lost to Netherlands which meant that we didn’t qualify for the World Championships this year. I started playing for the GB team when I was 16 and this is the first time this has happened, but the level now is so much harder – every country is improving so fast.
“We finished seventh but we’re already planning how we’re going to work together to make sure that we make it for the next one.
“For me, it’s always a pleasure to represent Great Britain, to be around the team and to give my all to achieve better results. I want to be a part of that team for every year that I can.”
Medina Murphy and Garcia Jimenez are the top seeds at the FIP Rise Santiago de Chile this week. Follow their progress here.
