Alejandro Galán and Juan Lebrón formed one of the most iconic duos in professional padel, dominating the sport from 2020 to 2023:
- World number one team for three consecutive seasons
- 33 titles won, including World Padel Tour tournaments and the 2022 Rome Major
- Their aggressive style and synergy set a new benchmark in the game
Despite the success, internal pressure and personality differences began to wear down the partnership by the end of 2023.
⚠️ Rising Tensions
Several factors contributed to the gradual disintegration of their bond:
- Injuries and Silence: During Lebrón’s elbow injury hiatus, he said Galán never contacted him—a signal that their personal connection was faltering
- Contrasting Temperaments: Lebrón’s intense, often volatile attitude clashed with Galán’s more composed approach
- Qatar Major Incident (March 7, 2024): During a heated match, Lebrón was involved in a verbal altercation and allegedly hit a ball toward opponent Mike Yanguas. He later called his behavior “unacceptable”—but it proved too much for Galán
🔚 The Split
On March 8, 2024, Galán announced the end of their partnership, calling it a “meditated” decision. He had already begun discussions with Federico Chingotto, confirming their new pairing shortly after the Qatar event.
- Galán quickly found success with Chingotto and expressed zero regret
- Lebrón publicly lamented the split, claiming his side of the story was overlooked and expressing hurt over the lack of support during his injury
💥 Post-Split Dynamics
The end of the partnership was far from amicable:
- In a May 2025 interview, Galán said they have “no relationship at all”
- Social media behavior, such as unfollows and cold post-match gestures, further confirmed the tension
- Galán leads the head-to-head 5–0 against Lebrón since the split, including a decisive win in the 2025 Italy Major semifinals
Galán stated he should have ended the duo earlier and that a reunion is “not an option.” Meanwhile, Lebrón, now with Franco Stupaczuk, has struggled, reaching no finals by late 2024.
🎾 Recent Developments (June 2025)
- During the Rome semifinal on June 14, Galán and Chingotto outplayed Lebrón and Stupaczuk in a professional and less tense match
- Interviews on El Cafelito and El Chiringuito TV revealed that Lebrón still carries emotional weight from the fallout and wishes to share more of his perspective
- Galán and Chingotto, now a formidable duo, continue to win, recently lifting the Italy Major title
Despite a handshake and cooling tempers on court, both men show no desire to reconcile.
⚖️ Why It Ended
The split stemmed from a blend of personal and professional incompatibilities:
Factor | Description |
---|---|
Personal Tensions | Lack of contact and mutual support, especially during injuries |
On-Court Behavior | Lebrón’s emotional outbursts clashed with Galán’s standards |
Differing Visions | Galán wanted a calmer, more focused path with Chingotto |
Irreconcilable Divide | Both confirm their relationship is beyond repair |
From champions to rivals, Galán and Lebrón’s story is a vivid example of how immense success can sometimes come at a personal cost. Their new journeys reflect the contrasting choices they made—one toward fresh stability, the other still searching for a spark.