In an interview with the Spanish daily newspaper Sports,  Álex Ruiz  nicknamed Captain America, spoke frankly about his start to the season, his association with Juanlu Esbrí… but above all about his time as president of the  PPA (Professional Padel Association) A role he says he left with “great disappointment”.

 A decent start to the season, but a hurdle to overcome. 

From a sporting perspective, Ruiz gives a rather positive assessment. After a shorter pre-season than in previous years, he believes he started 2026 in good conditions, particularly in Marseille and Riyadh, despite difficult draws.

The assessment remains clear: they are still "a small step away" from consistently defeating the very best pairs. Against the world's top 3 or top 4 duos, the gap is real, both tactically and mentally.

“When we face pairs 1 and 2, we see that they have taken padel to a very high level,” he acknowledges.

 Continuity with Juanlu Esbrí 

In a circuit where partner changes have become frequent, Ruiz has chosen stability by continuing with  Juanlu Esbri A well-considered decision.

Both players are coming off an encouraging season, marked by good performances and a title at the  FIP Platinum   Lyon , achieved without a huge amount of preparation time together. Ruiz emphasizes their complementarity, both on and off the field.

He describes himself as ambitious, convinced that their potential for improvement allows them to aim higher, with a place in the top tier as their ultimate goal.  Final Master .

Ruiz and Esbrí create a sensation by winning the title at FIP ​​Platinum Lyon

 Rule changes that were poorly received 

When asked about the new features introduced this season, star pointWith adjustments to the service and reduced recovery time, Ruiz admits that adapting isn't easy. He mentions a lack of preparation in the face of decisions made late in the process.

“We are informed when everything has already been decided, and a few weeks before the start of the tour.”

For him, these changes directly impact players' routines, particularly the management of warm-up and recovery times.

 A presidency he leaves with bitterness. 

But the most powerful part of the interview concerns his experience at the head of the  PPA Ruiz does not hide his feelings.

“My summary of this period as president is a great disappointment, on all levels.”

Without going into details, he mentions a lack of dialogue and consideration towards the players. According to him, despite the promises made during the transition to  Premier Padel The players did not get the space or the voice they hoped for.

He speaks of a feeling shared in the locker room: a form of frustration, even sadness, at the lack of concrete progress regarding player representation in major decisions of the circuit.

Alex Ruiz during his speech representing the PPA

 A look towards the future 

Today, Ruiz is no longer a member of the association's leadership. He now prefers to focus on fieldwork. He maintains that he has no regrets about his involvement, even though the experience left its mark on him.

His ambition remains unchanged: to progress athletically, climb in the rankings and continue to compete with the best.

But underlying it all, his message is clear: for padel to continue to grow, players and the circuit will have to find a much stronger dialogue.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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