The Spaniard, 3rd in the world, invited to the microphone of Twenty Ten Padel, spoke on the controversial topics of the moment: Chingotto still in the plans of Galan ? The rivalry with the world number 1s Coello / Tapia, and a possible return alongside Lebron is it possible?

Start of the season

The start of the year was marked by several disruptive factors: boycotts by certain players, tensions between authorities and athletes, and weather conditions affecting several competitions.

“It's been a strange year. But on a personal level, we're very happy. We've been training very well since prep.”

The pair Chingotto / Galan began its season with a quarter-final elimination in Riyadh, before continuing with two consecutive titles in Miami and then Santiago:

“Winning is everything. It made us super happy. Jorge (Martinez) promised us he'd open a bottle of wine if we won a tournament… Well, after months, we were finally able to taste it. It's the result of our consistency and hard work. Now we know we have to keep improving because Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello are at their best. We have to raise ours even higher.”

Jorge Martinez: "One of the big problems with padel today is the lack of project and commitment"

Rivalry with the world number 1s

Spanish Ale Galan looks back at the now well-established rivalry between the two best pairs in the world. The “classico” against Coello / Tapia turned to the latter's advantage in the last two finals, extending their lead in direct confrontations to 12 wins against 5.

“They have more weapons than us, they are two very complete, powerful players. We do too, but they have the advantage of height and shot.”

Despite the sand, Galan prefers to stay focused on his own team and continue to progress:

“Our focus is on becoming the best version of ourselves.”

The role of Chingotto is sometimes criticized for its lack of offensive impact, but for Galan, his partner is essential in the balance of the duo:

“People are very, very far from reality. I'm happy to score points. Fede brings me a lot too. We play a very compact game, we understand our roles well. We play in a way that works well.”

Despite a ninth defeat against Coello / Tapia when Brussels P2, Galan / Chingotto are showing very positive momentum at the start of the season:

“We get along perfectly, we enjoy playing together, training, and spending time together. Obviously, against Arturo and Agustín, I sometimes need Fede to help me a little more to make the difference. But overall, I'm very happy with our dynamic.”

The duo remains ambitious and determined to aim for world number 1:

“We have all the tools we need. Fede can put the ball wherever he wants on the court. The most important thing is decision-making and coordination with your teammate. There's always room for improvement. The day I don't see her anymore, I won't be in the running for number one.”

Chingotto, the evidence on the right

To Jorge Martinez, coach of the pair, and for Ale Galan himself, Federico Chingotto is undoubtedly the best option at right-back. The Spaniard dismisses persistent rumors surrounding a possible change of partner:

“As a classic right-wing player, in his understanding of the game, I don't see anyone better than Fede. […] There are no plans to change partners. The only possible change would be for me to move to the right (laughs). So imagine how far that is from being considered!”

Beyond the tactical aspect, Chingotto brings to Galan an emotional balance and serenity that are also felt in the game:

“He makes me better. He's a very organized player who helps me where I need to improve. And emotionally, he gives me a lot. Lately, I've been extremely happy playing and training.”

Their complicity goes well beyond the field, as Galan explains, emphasizing the chemistry between the two men, essential to the success of their duo:

“And from a purely sporting point of view, he brings me structure, his powerful shots, his aggressiveness, his volley… He nourishes me. We understand each other, we can communicate, because we speak the same language. Beyond playing styles, that's what matters most. We've seen many good players team up without it working because of their personalities. That's what matters most in a duo.”

Objective Buenos Aires

The world's 2nd pair is now looking towards Asuncion P2 (May 18-25) and Buenos Aires P1 (May 25 – June 1), where she is the defending champion in Argentina:

“We are now focusing on the tournament of Buenos AiresWe hope to shine there again. We won last year at Mar del Plata man. I know his (Chingotto) family will be there. We won two tournaments this year with his family present, so if we win a third with them in the stands, we'll hire them as lucky charms."

Partner change

Ale Galan returns to the controversy surrounding a possible change of partner, fueled by successive defeats against Wall et Coello, which rekindled the rumors around the second world pair:

“Those who think they are my fans and say I need to change don’t really know me.”

Like his coach Jorge Martinez, Galan takes a long-term view in his projects, particularly in the one he currently shares with Chingotto :

“It's never my intention to change for the sake of change. I believe failure is giving up too soon. What matters is having tried everything. And I would be very proud to be number one with Fede. That's what I'm looking for.”

Passion rediscovered

The Spaniard returns to his comments made in an interview, where he mentioned having reconnected with his passion for padel:

“Last year. Before, I just considered it a job. At one point, I watched every game, analyzing everything. Then I stopped watching myself play. I wasn't enjoying it anymore.”

This newfound passion is reflected today in his playing as well as in his state of mind:

“I enjoy every training session. I'm having a great time on a personal level, which is also reflected in my sporting experience. I think I'm playing at my best. And it all comes from this reconnection, this rediscovered joy on the field, which also extends off it.”

Relationship with Lebron

The relationship with Lebron, his former partner with whom he dominated world padel, continues to raise questions. During the Mondial, the two players found themselves back on the court, but in a very different context than their years as a dominant duo. Galan reflects on this experience and the decision to play with Lebron again:

“The decision to play with Juan was taken by the team. He was playing left back then, so it was an adjustment. But we know each other. We played together for over four years. We just had a practice the day before or that morning. It wasn't a problem.”

But since their separation, relations have been distant and the tensions still present :

“As for our current relationship, there simply isn't one. For me, there's respect, and that's the priority. I think there were things that, in my opinion, weren't right. Everyone can make their own decisions at their own time. I also agree with him on one thing: it wasn't the right time to end things.”

Gallant returns to a separation that had already been considered following the Paris Major :

“It wasn't the right time to stop. I think I should have stopped earlier. Actually, we talked about it after Paris, after the Major, and I told him that we wouldn't continue the following year. And then, after three very good months, apart from the sporting aspect, which also went well, with the momentum we had, I decided, and we talked about it clearly, to give him one more chance. But with limits, all of this apart from the sporting aspect."

The new association with Chingotto was quickly set up, a collaboration that he had already considered and that he absolutely does not regret:

"I called Faith, with whom I had already had a preliminary conversation where we said that it could work. We knew that it could work, both sportingly and personally, because we already knew each other. And it was even better than we hoped.”

Unsurprisingly, a return of the pair Galan/Lebron seems excluded:

“If in 10 years he says, 'Come on, come play with me,' I'll probably already be retired. I'm not thinking about making any changes. It's not that it's not a good option, but I'm not thinking about changing.”

Nicolas Fillaudeau

A big sports enthusiast and former tennis player, I discovered padel a few years ago without really focusing on it. Then I became addicted to this sport by practicing it and watching the premier padel matches. Looking forward to sharing the 2025 news with you!

On the same subject

Tags