The Tennis Academy El Cortijo player will face Suyapa Bienzobas this Saturday after overcoming Nia Kalatozishvili in the semifinals.
The young promise of Canarian tennis, Isabella Pulido Moreno, trained at the Tennis Academy El Cortijo in Telde, has qualified for the final of the under-16 women's draw of the Rafa Nadal Tour by Santander Gran Canaria 2026. The tournament, held at the academy's facilities, will have its decisive day this Saturday, with the local player as one of the main attractions.
Pulido secured her place in the final after winning an intense Canarian duel against Nia Kalatozishvili. The match, which was decided in the third set, reflected the competitiveness that has characterised the tournament across all categories. The local player displayed great mental and physical strength to overcome a rival who, in her own words, "never gives up on a ball."
"It was quite a tough match, against a rival who never gives up on a ball," Pulido stated after the match. The player particularly valued the opportunity to compete in a final at home, surrounded by family and friends, a factor that can be decisive in a tournament that is celebrating its fifth consecutive edition in Gran Canaria.
In the final, Pulido will face Suyapa Bienzobas, a rival who has also demonstrated a high competitive level throughout the tournament. The match is scheduled for this Saturday at the Tennis Academy El Cortijo courts, where a large local crowd is expected to support the Canarian player.
The Rafa Nadal Tour by Santander Gran Canaria 2026 is organised by the Tennis Academy El Cortijo, with sponsorship from the Cabildo de Gran Canaria and collaboration from the Ayuntamiento de Telde and Binter. The tournament, named after one of the legends of world tennis, has established itself as a key event for young talents from the Islands.
In addition to the women's final, the tournament will also feature Canarian representation in the under-16 men's draw. Hugo Suárez, another local talent, will face Jan Zavadil in the final after defeating Darío Díaz Perdomo in a closely contested match between Canarian players. Suárez, like Pulido, will be seeking the title at home.
In the lower categories, Viktoriia Koroleva will play against María Aguado Paya in under-12, while Patricia Gomar Díez will face Alejandra Pelegrín in under-14. The tournament has brought together young talents from across the island and other parts of Spain, consolidating Gran Canaria as a breeding ground for future champions.
For Pulido, this final represents an important step in her career. The player, who trains at the Tennis Academy El Cortijo, has shown consistent progress in recent years. Her aggressive playing style and ability to adapt to different surfaces make her a formidable opponent on clay, the tournament's surface.
The Rafa Nadal Tour, driven by the Rafa Nadal Foundation, aims to promote the values of sport among young people, such as effort, perseverance, and camaraderie. The competition in Gran Canaria has been a success in terms of participation, with players from all the Canary Islands and the mainland.
This Saturday's final will be a showcase for Canarian tennis, which sees Pulido and Suárez as two of its greatest hopes for the future. The support of the local audience will be key for the young talents to make the leap to higher categories and, who knows, one day compete in the major tournaments of the professional circuit.
The match will begin at 10:00 hours at the Tennis Academy El Cortijo facilities in Telde. Entry is free for all fans who wish to witness the duel between the two best under-16 players of the tournament live.
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