Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto, fresh off their title win in Milan, will not participate in the upcoming FIP Platinum event in Lyon. Their withdrawal marks a significant moment in the padel calendar, as it ends an unprecedented run of participation by a top-four ranked pair in this tier of competition.
The duo had initially registered for Lyon and planned to follow it with the Newgiza P2 event, aiming to capitalize on the absence of world No. 1s Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia. This strategic double entry could have narrowed the Race ranking gap to under 1,000 points. However, physical fatigue ultimately outweighed the competitive opportunity.
Jorge Martínez explains the decision
Jorge Martínez, the coach of Galán and Chingotto, addressed the withdrawal in an interview with Il Piccolo Padel, citing physical strain as the primary reason.
“The main reason was physical overload,” Martínez said. “We’ve played many matches in a row recently, and the fatigue has built up. Ale, being taller and covering more ground, was feeling some tension in his back. After the win in Milan, we thought it was better to prioritize rest rather than risk injury.”
Martínez emphasized that the decision was made collectively, with the long-term health of the players in mind.
Strategic rest ahead of the season’s final stretch
Galán and Chingotto have been in excellent form, and their recent performances have positioned them as serious contenders for the top spot in the world rankings. With the season entering its decisive phase, the team has opted to slow down and focus on recovery before the final push.
“Health comes first,” Martínez added, acknowledging that consistency will be the key to overtaking Coello and Tapia in the coming months.
The withdrawal from Lyon may delay their climb, but it reflects a calculated approach to maintaining peak performance. Their next appearance is expected at the Newgiza P2, where they aim to resume their pursuit of the No. 1 ranking.
