Discontent is growing among professional padel players. After the publication of a virulent message from Pablo Lijó on his social networks, it is the turn of Gonzalo Rubio, the 38th player in the world, to speak out. In an Instagram post, the Spaniard denounces a heavy climate and management that leaves players on the sidelines.

A reality very different from the initial promises

In his message, Rubio recalls that the players took a risk by committing to the new project. QSI-FIP-PPA, with the hope of a more structured and better supervised circuit. However, the reality would be quite different:

“We are completely excluded from the equation and even the most basic sporting decisions are made without consulting us.”

The Spaniard criticises in particular the lack of dialogue between the authorities and the players, who would have no weight in the strategic and organisational decisions of the circuit.

Threats and unjustified accusations?

In his message, Rubio directly challenges the leaders of Premier Padel and the International Federation of Padel (FIP), asking them to put an end to the pressure on players:

“Stop sending us threatening letters every day! We are athletes who only want to train and give the best possible show to the fans, as they deserve.”

The player also defends the image of professionals, often described as athletes motivated only by money. He insists that their demands are not about financial increases, but about decent playing conditions and a fairer ranking system.

General fed up: a massive boycott hits Premier Padel !

A call for dialogue still unanswered

Rubio finally points out that the players are faced with a fait accompli, with sporting measures that directly impact their career, without the possibility of negotiation:

“We are only asking to sit down at the table to get out of this impasse, but this moment is long overdue…”

As the 2025 season promises to be one of high tension, this new public outing illustrates a growing climate of distrust between players and the governing bodies of professional padelIt remains to be seen whether this call for dialogue will finally be heard...

Here is the translation :

Dark days for professional padel

We, professional players, bet on change, assuming the risk of facing a multi-million euro lawsuit, firmly believing in this new model QSI-FIP-PPA, where we thought we were finally being considered. The reality is quite different. We are completely excluded from the equation and even the most basic sporting decisions are made without consulting us.

For the attention of the leaders of Premier Padel or FIP, if this message reaches you, stop sending us threatening letters every day! We are athletes who only want to train and offer the best possible show to the fans, as they deserve.

We are accused of being capricious and selfish, always seeking to make more money, but the reality is quite different. We are not asking for any economic improvement, only what is rightfully ours: a coherent and balanced ranking system for players, a minimum of quality for FIP tournaments and respect for the conditions that had been promised to us from the start.

And now, at the start of this year, new sporting measures are being imposed on us, seriously impacting all players, without us even having the opportunity to sit down to discuss them and propose alternatives.

My only wish is that all parties can finally come together and break this impasse for the good of padel., but this moment is long overdue...

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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