The decision ofAlex Ruiz (22nd in the world) et Maxi Sanchez (28th in the world) to ignore the Premier Padel P2 of Valladolid to dispute a FIP Silver in Palermo did not go unnoticed. A surprising choice for a pair of the Top 15 worldwide, which could well make case law in the coming months… and generate a reaction from the circuit Premier Padel.

A choice that challenges

While Plaza Mayor of Valladolid hosts one of the key stages of the circuit this week Premier Padel, the Spanish-Argentine pair is not thereInstead, she is participating in a much more modest FIP ​​Silver in Sicily, but which could bring more points... and above all more confidence.

A choice that can be explained: in case of victory in Palermo, both players would leave with 80 FIP pointsEither almost double of what they would achieve by reaching the last 16 in Valladolid — their best result so far together on the circuit Premier Padel (45 points).

A Silver FIP rather than a P2? The surprising choice of Ruiz and Sánchez

FIP Tour vs Premier Padel : the blur sets in

The origin of Oliv&Sens, the two circuits are not supposed to compete with each other. The FIP Tour, organized by the International Federation of Padel, aimed to offer tournaments to players above 50th place in the world, especially on stages FIP Rise et FIP Silver.

But in fact, the border between the two circuits is becoming increasingly porousWe saw it in Bandol this season, where players like Alvaro Cepero (38th) took part in an FIP Silver stage. Profiles that clearly belong to the Top 50 worldwide, and which, in another context, should evolve primarily on the circuit Premier Padel.

So when there is no Premier Padel at the same time as an FIP Tour tournament, why not. But…

now pairs from the Top 30 as Sanchez/Ruiz favor a Silver FIP… to the detriment of a P2.

An equation that disturbs those in high places

Beyond the points, This choice poses a real image problem for Premier Padel, who is already struggling to stabilize its schedule and unite the players. According to concordant sources, a reflection would be undertaken behind the scenes for change the allocation of points on the FIP Tour.

The goal? To prevent renowned players from skipping these stages (of Premier Padel) to favor a circuit that is supposed to be secondary (the FIP Tour).

Clear, Premier Padel pourrait impose a reduction in the points distributed on the FIP on the FIP Tour — from FIP Bronze to FIP Platinum, including FIP Silver and FIP Gold, of course — in order to preserve the hierarchy between the two circuits. A P2 today earning 600 points for the winner, compared to 80 for an FIP Silver, the gap remains significant... but not enough if the seeds never go beyond the eighth in P2.

Comparison of FIP Silver points vs. Premier Padel P2

RankingFIP SilverPremier Padel P2
Winner80 pts600 pts
Finalist45 pts360 pts
Semi-finalist25 pts180 pts
Quart de finale14 pts90 pts
Eighth8 pts45 pts
Sixteenth5 pts—

More than a points strategy?

Beyond the issue of classification, these “downgraded” participations also respond to other motivations: regain favorite status, ensure victories to regain confidence, attract local sponsors, or be the headliner of the tournament. Image and visibility elements that these players no longer necessarily have on stages Premier Padel dominated by Coello, Tapia, Chingotto or Galán.

So it's not just about points. It is a cocktail of strategy, image and opportunity., which could encourage other top players in the world to review their programs. And that is precisely what Premier Padel might want to avoid for 2026, after a first half of the 2025 season marked by controversies.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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