The professional padel circuit is electrifying, and the 2024 season has kicked off with an unprecedented ‘partner scramble’ that has shaken the sport to its core. Following the historic merger of the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel into a single, unified tour, players have engaged in a dramatic game of musical chairs. This seismic shift has ended legendary partnerships and forged exciting, unpredictable new alliances. The result is a landscape more competitive and thrilling than ever before. Why the sudden chaos? A unified calendar, increased prize money, and a fresh start have given players the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate their goals and seek out new partners to help them achieve glory. In this guide, we will break down the biggest moves, from the shocking split of the world’s most dominant duo to the formation of new super-teams. We will analyze the stable forces, the ambitious challengers, and the dark horses poised to make their mark on this new era of professional padel. Get ready to meet the new kings of the court.
A new era dawns on the padel court
The year 2024 will forever be remembered as a turning point for professional padel. For years, the sport was divided between two competing tours, the established World Padel Tour and the player-backed Premier Padel. This division often created scheduling conflicts, ranking complexities, and a fragmented viewing experience for fans. The announcement of their merger, creating one single global tour under the Premier Padel name and governed by the International Padel Federation (FIP), was monumental. This unification has not just streamlined the sport; it has acted as a powerful catalyst for the ‘great partner scramble’. With a clear, consolidated calendar featuring Major, P1, and P2 events across the globe, players can now plan their seasons with certainty. The increased investment and prize money have also raised the stakes considerably. This new professional structure has prompted a strategic reset among the elite. Players are no longer just thinking about the next tournament; they are thinking about long-term projects and finding a partner whose ambitions and playing style perfectly align with the demands of this grueling new tour. This environment of change and opportunity is the primary driver behind the many breakups and new pairings we are witnessing. It’s a clean slate, and every player is looking for that perfect connection to conquer this new, unified world of padel.
The undisputed kings Coello and Tapia
In a sea of change, the pairing of Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia stands as a formidable island of stability. While nearly every other top team was reshuffling the deck, ‘Arturito’ and ‘El Mozart de Catamarca’ chose to continue their dominant partnership, and for good reason. Their 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular, a whirlwind of titles and breathtaking performances that saw them rightfully claim the number one spot. Their decision to stick together instantly makes them the pair to beat in 2024. Their chemistry on the court is a perfect blend of explosive power and delicate genius. Coello, with his towering height and incredible reach, patrols the net with overwhelming force, smashing his way through opponents. His powerful ‘vibora’ and aggressive volleys create constant pressure. On the other side, Tapia is the artist. His wrist-work is arguably the best in the game, allowing him to produce impossible shots from anywhere on the court. His defensive skills and uncanny ability to read the game provide the perfect counterbalance to Coello’s aggression. Together, they form a near-perfect padel machine. Their continuity gives them a significant advantage as other teams are still building chemistry and learning each other’s movements. They already have a year’s worth of high-level experience and a proven winning formula. The question for the rest of the tour is a simple but daunting one; can anyone stop the Coello and Tapia express in 2024?
The earth-shattering split Lebrón and Galán
For four years, Juan Lebrón and Ale Galán were not just a padel team; they were an institution. ‘El Lobo’ and ‘El Galántico’ reigned supreme, holding the number one ranking for an extended period and creating an era of dominance that few thought would ever end. Their aggressive, fast-paced style redefined the sport. That is why their decision to part ways early in the 2024 season sent shockwaves through the padel community. The split, which came after a tense and controversial match at the Qatar Major, marks the end of one of the most successful partnerships in the sport’s history. While players change partners frequently, this felt different. This was the breakup of the Beatles of padel. The partnership was known for its intensity, and on-court friction was not uncommon. However, the visible frustrations in Qatar seemed to be the final straw, leading to a mutual decision to seek new projects. They leave behind a legacy of numerous titles, incredible comebacks, and a brand of padel that pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible. Their separation has thrown the top of the rankings wide open, creating a power vacuum that every other team is now scrambling to fill. It is a testament to their impact that their split is the single biggest story of the year, overshadowing almost everything else. The padel world now watches with bated breath to see how these two titans will fare apart.
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Forging new paths Galán with Chingotto and Lebrón with Momo
The fallout from the Lebrón/Galán split immediately created two of the most intriguing new pairings on tour. Ale Galán has chosen to team up with Frederico ‘Fede’ Chingotto, a move that fascinates analysts. This partnership is a classic case of opposites attracting. Galán is one of the most powerful and aggressive players in the world, a relentless attacker. Chingotto, on the other hand, is arguably the best defensive player on the planet. Nicknamed ‘Super Ratón’ (Super Mouse) for his incredible court coverage and retrieval skills, he is a wall. The theory is that Chingotto’s defensive solidity will provide the perfect platform for Galán to unleash his attacking prowess with more freedom and less risk. Their success will depend on how quickly they can merge their contrasting styles. Meanwhile, Juan Lebrón has formed an all-Spanish alliance with Jerónimo ‘Momo’ González. This pairing is built on power and charisma. Momo is a fiery competitor and a powerful left-sided player who can match Lebrón’s intensity. They are expected to bring an explosive and highly energetic brand of padel to the court. For Momo, this is a golden opportunity to play alongside a legend and challenge for the biggest titles. For Lebrón, Momo represents a fresh start with a motivated and aggressive partner. Both of these new duos have the potential to reach the top, but they also face immense pressure to make these high-profile partnerships work, and work quickly.
The superpibes and the veterans Stupa/Di Nenno and Paquito/Sanyo
Beyond the headline-grabbing splits and new pairings, two other key teams represent both stability and nostalgia. Franco Stupaczuk and Martín Di Nenno, affectionately known as ‘The Superpibes’, have chosen to stick together for another season. After a strong 2023 where they proved to be the most consistent challengers to the top teams, their continuity is a major asset. Their partnership is forged from a childhood friendship and a near-telepathic understanding on the court. Stupa provides the acrobatic flair and offensive firepower, while Di Nenno is a master of strategy and relentless defense. They are the ultimate grinders, a team that never gives up on a point and has the tactical intelligence to dismantle any opponent. Their decision to remain a unit makes them a clear contender for the number one spot. In a completely different but equally exciting story, the padel world rejoices at the reunion of two legends; Paquito Navarro and Sanyo Gutiérrez. This is a partnership fans have been clamoring for. Their previous stint together was full of magical moments and spectacular shot-making. Paquito is pure showmanship and power, a player who can hit unthinkable winners. Sanyo is ‘El Mago’ (The Magician), a genius of touch, control,and strategy. When they are in sync, their padel is arguably the most entertaining to watch. Their challenge will be to find the consistency that sometimes eluded them in the past, but their combined talent and experience make them a threat in any tournament they enter.
The rising contenders and dark horses
The ‘great partner scramble’ extends well beyond the top five. The depth of talent in men’s padel is greater than ever, and several new pairings are poised to be major disruptors. One of the most exciting new teams to watch is Mike Yanguas and Javi Garrido. Both are young, immensely powerful, and aggressive players. They have already shown their giant-killing potential by making a significant impact in the season’s early tournaments. Their fearless, high-risk style makes them a dangerous opponent for anyone, and they seem to thrive on the big stage. As they gain more experience playing together, their consistency will surely improve, making them a legitimate threat for titles. Another veteran duo to keep an eye on is Fernando Belasteguín, the eternal legend of the sport, who has paired up with the talented Lucho Capra. ‘Bela’ brings unparalleled experience and court intelligence, and his partnership with a solid and reliable player like Capra could prove to be a very tough puzzle for opponents to solve. We must also mention Victor Ruiz and Lucas Bergamini, a solid team that consistently troubles the top seeds. The beauty of the 2024 season is its unpredictability. On any given day, any of these dark horse teams can cause a major upset, ensuring that no match is a foregone conclusion. This level of competition throughout the rankings makes the Premier Padel tour a must-watch spectacle every single week.
The 2024 Premier Padel season is shaping up to be the most unpredictable and compelling in the sport’s history. The unification of the tour has created a new world order, and ‘the great partner scramble’ is the immediate, dramatic result. The stability of the reigning kings, Coello and Tapia, sets a high bar for everyone else. They are the benchmark against which all other teams will be measured. The dramatic conclusion of the Lebrón and Galán era has opened a power vacuum, creating incredible opportunities for the newly formed alliances. Watching how Galán pairs with a defensive master like Chingotto, and how Lebrón combines with the fiery Momo González, will be a central narrative of the year. Add to this the established chemistry of ‘The Superpibes’ Stupa and Di Nenno, and the magical reunion of legends Paquito and Sanyo, and you have a recipe for constant excitement. The sheer number of new, hungry teams ensures that the path to a title has never been more difficult. This heightened competition is fantastic for the sport and its fans. Every tournament will bring fresh matchups, potential upsets, and an evolving story of who will rise to claim the throne in this new era of professional padel. One thing is for certain; you will not want to miss a moment.
