Just over three months from  Premier Padel Finals , programmed from  December 10-13, 2026 in Barcelona the race to  16 qualifying spots  enters a decisive phase. As the circuit resumes with the  Madrid P1  before moving on to the  Paris Major The gaps remain particularly tight at the gates of the top 16.

Between players already well established, the last virtual qualifiers under pressure, and pursuers still fully in the race,  The time has come to take stock of the Race before the final sprint of the season. .

A qualification that no longer seems to be in doubt

With just over three months to go until the Finals, some seem to have already made their decisions.  a large part of the way to Barcelona In men,  Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia , leaders of the Race with 10,440 points, as well as Ale Galán and Fede Chingotto  (9,150), have a considerable lead.

Behind,  Leandro Augsburger and Juan Lebrón  (4,845) also occupy a very comfortable position, as does  Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas  (3135). Barring a huge turn of events, it's hard to imagine the main stars of the circuit missing the Catalan event.

The observation is similar for women.  Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea  dominate the Race with 9,580 points, ahead  Bea González and Paula Josemaría  (7 520)  Ari Sánchez and Andrea Ustero  follow with 5,720 points, while  Claudia Fernández  (4 585) and  Martina Calvo  (3,940) also already have a significant lead over the danger zone. For these players, the challenge in the coming months should therefore be less about securing qualification than about  consolidate their position before Barcelona .

In the men's competition, the battle is raging at the gates of the top 16.

Behind the players who were already comfortably seated,  The race for the last few places looks much more unpredictable. . Currently  16th and final virtual qualifier Juan Tello (1,942 points) only has  28 lengths ahead of Coki Nieto , 17rd.  Jon sanz , 15th with 1,959 points, also remains directly affected, while Edu Alonso (18th) ,  Lucas Bergamini and Javi Garrido (19th)  or,  Maxi Arce (21st)  can still hope to get closer.

Above all, the  Recent pairing changes could completely reshuffle the cards. Coki Nieto now plays with  mike yanguas , while Jon Sanz has partnered with  Franco Stupaczuk . Two new pairs combining a player engaged in the battle around 16th place with a partner already firmly established among the virtual qualifiers.

Capable of achieving significant results in major competitions,  Yanguas/Nieto and Stupaczuk/Sanz could quickly shake things up in the Race With several major tournaments still on the calendar,  Even the slightest strong performance can now lead to gaining several places .

The women's top 16 is hanging by a thread

Among women as well,  the boundary of the top 16 remains particularly fragile .  Vero Virseda, 15th with 2,040 points , and  Alejandra Salazar, 16th with 1,980 points , have only a small margin over their pursuers.

 Giulia Dal Pozzo and Nuria Rodriguez tied behind them with 1,864 points, are respectively only at  176 and 116 points  of the two Spanish women. Further on,  Bea Caldera and Carmen Goenaga , with 1,640 points, can also still believe in a comeback.

The situation of  Salazar  inevitably attracts attention. At 40, the former world number 1 and true icon of women's padel finds herself directly threatened by  an ambitious new generation , while Virseda also lacks any real safety net.

From Madrid to Mexico City, everything can still change.

While the gaps are still so small, the schedule leaves above all  numerous opportunities to turn the situation around Before the Barcelona Finals, eight meetings Premier Padel remain on the program, starting with the  Madrid P1 (August 29 – September 6) , immediately followed by  Paris Major (September 7-13) After Rotterdam and Germany, the players will return to a P1 at  Milan , before another particularly important deadline with the  Kuwait Major (October 26-31) .

After passing through  Dubai The regular season will end primarily with the  Mexico Major, November 23-29 in Acapulco , the last major event before Barcelona. With  two Majors, three P1s and two P2s  With the remaining matches to be played after Madrid, the teams around 16th place will have ample opportunity to make up ground... or lose their lead. In such a tight race,  A big performance can be enough to upset the hierarchy and bring Barcelona considerably closer. .

Raphael Degironde

As a padel fan and player, I scan the padel scene: Beware, you are being watched!

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