Iciar Montes appointed LTA Padel International Performance Coach

Montes brings a wealth of experience into her respective roles and will be working closely alongside LTA National Performance Pathway Manager and Great Britain coach Libby Fletcher.

Montes will be joining the LTA Padel performance team, joining forces with Agustin Gomez Silingo, the renowned Argentine professional padel player, who was appointed as LTA Padel International Coach last May ahead of the FIP Euro Padel Cup. Montes will focus on the GB Women's National Team, with Silingo transitioning to the GB Men's National Team.

Since 2023, Montes has been working with the LTA as a Content Developer for Padel Coach Education, working closely with the LTA's Coach and Official Education Team.

In this role, Montes will support the preparation and activities of the Great Britain’s Women National Padel Team, contributing to team selection processes, travelling to FIP-sanctioned international team events, and providing comprehensive on-court support. Montes, who originates from Spain, will deliver education, guidance, and strategic input to the LTA’s Padel Team and National Coaches to enhance expertise and ensure international performance standards are consistently met.

Working closely with the LTA’s Padel Team, Montes will assist in the delivery of selected National Training Camps and contribute to talent identification initiatives throughout the year. The role also includes offering ongoing advice and performance guidance to selected players within the pathway, alongside supporting additional areas such as coaching courses, workshops, and clinics to further strengthen the national padel programme.

As LTA Padel International Performance Coach, Montes will play a central role in supporting the women’s national teams alongside Libby Fletcher, delivering consistent, high-performance training throughout the season.

Fletcher will captain the GB women’s team, supported by Montes’ extensive international experience. On the men’s side, John Leach will step into the role of captain, with the support of LTA Padel Performance Coach Agustin Gomez Silingo - who will transition across to support the Men's National Team - further strengthening the programme’s world-class coaching team. Silingo built an impressive career through consistent performances on the World Padel Tour, reaching a career high ranking of 21. In 2024 Silingo made

the transition from being a player to becoming a padel coach. Silingo soon became coach of Juan Lebrón (Spain) and Martín Di Nenno (Argentina), two players of the world’s elite players.

Sandy Farquharson will continue to play an active role in supporting the LTA Padel programme, providing central expertise while contributing to wider areas of strategic collaboration.

During her time on court, the Spaniard dominated the international stage, holding the world number one ranking for 12 consecutive years and claiming nine world championship titles, five in doubles competition and four representing Spain.

In 2016, Montes was appointed head coach of Spain’s women’s national team. Under her leadership, the team has won five world championships and three European titles, highlighted by an exceptional “Double” triumph in 2024.

Last year, Montes joined the FIP to lead on the new and innovative FIP Beyond Tour, the world amateur padel tour that encourages participation, inclusion, competitive development and social interaction that involves young players, amateurs, seniors, former professionals and Padel legends.

Tom Murray, LTA Head of Padel said, “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Iciar Montes as an LTA Padel International Performance Coach. Iciar brings a wealth of expertise to the role, built on an outstanding playing career as a former world number one – and as captain to the Women’s Spanish Team for the last nine years.

"From supporting team selection to competition preparation, Iciar’s influence will be felt across the entire programme. Working closely with Libby Fletcher and our wider coaching team, she will play a key role in ensuring our British squads are equipped to compete with confidence at the highest level.

"Her appointment alongside Silingo’s selection last May, reinforces our commitment to creating a first-class performance team, whilst embedding world-class expertise within British padel for the long term, and we are excited about the journey ahead.”