The semi-final of  Valencia Premier Padel P1  across  Alejandro Galán / Federico Chingotto  et  Juan Lebrón / Leo Augsburger  offered much more than just a sporting spectacle.

After an intense battle won by Galán and Chingotto ( 4/6 6/3 6/4 ), one gesture in particular captured everyone's attention:  Alejandro Galán refused to shake Juan Lebrón's hand during the final salute .

A scene that immediately went viral on social media and reignited questions about a relationship that still seems as tense as ever between the two former world number 1s.

 The tension builds throughout the third set. 

The atmosphere was already particularly electric in a packed Fonteta when several incidents further raised the temperature.

The first intervenes at  5/3 in the third set During a quick exchange at the net, Galán unintentionally touches  Leo Augsburg  at chest level with a bullet.

Nothing unusual happened during the game, but after the point, the cameras picked up  Juan Lebrón  discussing with his partner and seemingly suggesting that he respond in the same way at the next opportunity.

A few moments later, another tense exchange takes place. After a smash from Augsburger and a defense from Galán, Lebrón clearly addresses his former partner.

Galán's response is immediate: he touches his ear while looking at Lebrón, as if to make him understand that he has perfectly heard what has just been said.

Both teams then returned to their benches with the score of  5/4 , in an atmosphere that had become extremely tense.

 The refusal that's causing a stir 

Back on the track, Galán and Chingotto remained focused and managed to finish the match to secure their place in the final.

But the real subject arrives a few seconds later.

At the moment of the final salute,  Alejandro Galán shakes Leo Augsburger's hand but refuses Juan Lebrón's .

A rare sight on the professional circuit, especially between two players who shared four seasons together at the top of world padel.

It is difficult to know today whether this refusal is directly related to the exchanges of the third set or whether it reflects something deeper.

 A story that goes beyond the realm of sports 

Because this tension obviously did not originate in Valence.

Between 2020 and 2023, Galán and Lebrón dominated world padel with:

  •  33 tracks 
  •  3 seasons finished as world number 1 
  •  2 Major Labels 
  • An exceptional 2022 season with  14 trophies 

But behind this sporting dominance, the relationship gradually deteriorated.

Lebrón's injury in 2023, disagreements over career management, on-field behavior, and the incident of  Qatar Major 2024  gradually created a rift between the two men.

A few days after this Qatari episode, Galán announced the end of their association.

Since then, statements have multiplied from both sides.

Lebrón particularly regretted the lack of communication from his former partner:

"Living 300 meters from my home and not having the courage to tell me to my face, that hurts a lot."

Galán, for his part, had replied a few months later:

"Reconciliation is impossible if one party doesn't want it."

A phrase that resonates in a particular way today.

 Galán tries to calm the situation 

However, after the match, the Madrid player tried to calm the debates.

When questioned about the incidents at the end of the match, he stated:

"Sorry about the incident at the end. We came here to play padel."

A way of minimizing the event, without however explaining precisely the reasons for his action.

 A rivalry that continues to leave its mark on the circuit 

More than two years after their separation, each confrontation between Galán and Lebrón continues to tell a particular story.

In sporting terms, Galán now leads the debates by a wide margin with four wins in five confrontations against the Lebrón / Augsburger pair.

But beyond the result, it is this refused handshake that will remain as one of the strong images of Valence P1.

And one question remains: is this simply a moment of tension in the heat of the moment, or proof that the rift between the two former world number 1s is still very strong?

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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