New season, new adventure, but a start far from expectations. Partners for the year  2026 ,  Sanyo Gutiérrez  et  Gonzalo Alfonso  struggle to get a positive momentum going. A frustrating semi-final at the  FIP Platinum of Marseille , followed by an early exit at  P1 of Riyadh They quickly created an atmosphere of questioning around a pair that, on paper, looked promising. So, what is this Argentinian pair still lacking?

Powerless against Leal/Guerrero, worrying in Riyadh

When their partnership was formalized, it had everything to raise eyebrows. On the one hand,  Sanyo Gutiérrez A legend of world padel, former number one and the embodiment of a masterful game, capable of slowing down, varying, and tactically stifling any pair. On the other hand,  Gonzalo Alfonso , recent revelation of the circuit Premier Padel, a spectacular, creative, unpredictable player who had made a lasting impression alongside  Tolito Aguirre. 

Two technical profiles, two nuanced visions of the game, an elegant and pleasing style of padel to watch. On paper, the equation seemed promising.

In Marseille, everything had actually started rather well. Without encountering any major obstacles, the Argentinian pair had reached the semi-finals, suggesting a gradual rise in strength. But facing  Javi Leal and Fran Guerrero The duo abruptly changed their approach. Dominated in intensity, pushed around in the fast rallies, Gutiérrez and Alfonso were clearly neutralized 6/2, 6/3.

FIP Platinum Marseille – Leal and Guerrero outclass Gutiérrez / Alfonso and advance to the final against Garrido / Bergamini

A first warning sign, but not really worrying at this stage of the season.

The trend was confirmed in Riyadh, however. They were beaten in their first match by the qualifiers.  Javier Martinez / Ramiro Valenzuela The Argentinians revealed deeper difficulties. Admittedly, an early elimination can always be explained at the start of the year, a period when team cohesion is still fragile. But in a circuit obsessed with immediate results, questions quickly arise.

Alfonso Gutierrez at the FIP Platinum in Marseille 2

A pair that's not modern enough?

Modern padel is revealing an increasingly evident reality: the dominant pairs are, above all, those capable of imposing a  constant power regardless of conditions or surfaces.

In this context, Sanyo Gutiérrez's talent is undeniable. His reading of the game, his defensive skills, and his ball control remain among the most refined on the tour. But the Argentinian has never been known as one of the most physically explosive players.

Gonzalo Alfonso, for his part, brings more impact, but his DNA remains that of a player of  creation , of variation, of construction. A player who shines more through his inventiveness than through his ability to dominate in the power game.

Alfonso Gutierrez at the FIP Platinum in Marseille 3

The association then poses a structural question: in a circuit where intensity and speed increasingly dictate the balances, does this pair have the necessary weapons to compete sustainably with current benchmarks?

Their styles aren't identical, but they share a similar technical focus, a similar taste for structured, deliberate, and thoughtful play. Two exceptionally rich profiles… still searching for the right chemistry.

One thing remains certain: neither Gutiérrez's nor Alfonso's talent is in question. But to succeed in this increasingly demanding padel landscape, the pair will quickly need to find the formula that transforms this theoretical promise into a competitive reality.

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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