When Juan Martín Díaz speaks about today’s elite padel players, his words carry the weight of experience and admiration. In a recent conversation, he shed light on what makes Agustín Tapia, Arturo Coello, and Alejandro Galán such formidable figures on the court.
Díaz admits a particular fondness for watching Tapia. “Not because I see myself in him,” he says, “but because he’s the one I enjoy watching the most.” Tapia’s style is elegant, deceptive, and methodical—he gives opponents a glimmer of hope before closing in with quiet precision. “He takes you out, but slowly,” Díaz says with a mix of humor and awe.
On the other hand, Coello and Galán are pure power. “They’re killers,” Díaz says bluntly. “They go ‘pa pa pa’ and take you out.” The difference in pace and intensity between Tapia’s calculated rhythm and the explosive dominance of Coello and Galán paints a vivid picture of padel’s evolving dynamics.
Tapia has also grown in stature off the court. Díaz notes the transformation in his physical condition and professionalism: “You can now see his physique, the positive change he’s made.”
As for Coello, Díaz finds him nearly unstoppable. “It feels like there’s no space, neither behind nor in front,” he explains. “It’s as if, if he stretched out, he’d touch the net and the glass with his hands.”
Galán, too, garners high praise for his strength and relentless movement. “It’s impressive how much ground he covers,” Díaz observes. Each of these players brings something unique, and together they represent the peak of performance in the sport.
In Díaz’s eyes, these three aren’t just stars—they’re redefining what greatness looks like on the padel court.
