Do you have to be tall to excel at padel ? This is a recurring question in the world of this sport. Observing players like Juan Lebron, Ale Galan, Arturo Coello, Franco Stupa, Mike Yanguas, or even Agustin Sillingo, one might be tempted to think so.

Indeed, their large wingspan and their trigger allow them to cover more space on the track, to smash with disconcerting ease and to counter more balls. This dynamic is seen in both professionals and amateurs, where the shorter player usually moves to the right, allowing the taller player to cover more of the court.

But, does size really matter? Let's find out by establishing a list of the smallest professional players (from World Padel Tour / Premier Padel).

Chingotto / Solano: 1,70m

Fede Chingotto italy major

Federico Chingotto

We start this Top 3 with two players, one of whom you all know, Federico Chingotto. The native of Buenos Aires is just 1,70m tall (with heel cups?) and that doesn't seem to be too much of a problem for him. Very fast, he excels in defense, driving his opponents crazy and undermining their attacks. He is also endowed with an incredible technique allowing him to achieve real strokes of genius as soon as he has the opportunity. And when we see this phenomenon evolve on the 20×10, we clearly say that its size does not bother it at all to slam some nice smashes. Increasingly aggressive at the net, the Argentinian is also capable of bringing the ball back into his court. Let's also not forget that "Super mouse” is able to play on the left and undermine his rivals in a register of his own. Proof of this is in the Master Final 2022 when he competed alongside Martin Di Nenno. even qualifying for the final.

He shares this 3rd place of the smallest players with Jose solano.

Subsidiary question: 1,70 m, is it really small?

Rico / Cepero: 1,67m

Javi Rico world padel tour

javier rico

Then comes Alvaro Cepero (1,67m). The Andalusian, 58ᵉ in the WPT ranking, is a pure right-wing player. His agility, combined with an excellent vision of the game, makes him a formidable opponent. He shares this second place with Javi Rico (31). The native of Valencia does not reach 1,70 m, but he is not left out. Indeed, although evolving on the right, the young player, left-handed, has a very good smash allowing him to finish a lot of points and thus take over in attack when his partner suffers from a drop in speed. Very fast, he makes up for his lack of height with a solid technique and varied shots.

Bergamini: 1,65m

Lucas Bergamini

And the first place of this podium of the “pequeños” goes to Lucas Bergamini and his meter 65. The Brazilian, who points his nose at the 41ᵉ place WPT, also evolves on the right alongside Victor Ruiz. But beware, the native of Bento Gonçalves is an aggressive player and does not lack spice. Indeed, the young player has a good smash and knows how to undermine the game of his opponents in his diagonal.

PC: Carlota Palma

Sebastien Carrasco

Future naturopath and passionate about padel, Seb is the health/food gentleman of Padel Magazine. He juggles between pala, quinoa and essential oils. For almost two years now he has been dealing with the news of the little yellow ball with the same passion.

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