What’s up Padel cracks! It’s Tim again, wishing you a happy monday and a good week on the courts.

The year is nearing its end and all of us surely are dreaming up new year resolutions already. Yet the 5 am clubbers of LinkedIn will make every effort to make you believe the best time to start is NOW instead of next year. And while I couldn’t disagree more firmly as nothing beats a good recline and reset with the family over the holidays, they certainly have a point for Padel. The courts are empty, you have the time, so go out there and get to smashing!! Cuz before you know it, Padel will be squeezed between kick-offs, follow-ups, and all-hands again 😜

Today’s newsletter is 889 words - a 7 minute read.

In this issue

🥲 Smashing broke! The sad reality of professional Padel

🗞️ Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernandez to split up for next season

📸 Chingalan (for now) confirmed to bless us for another season 🔥 

👍 Poll of the week

Last week’s poll results

Who is the best padel player ever lived?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Fernando Belasteguin (17)

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Agustin Tapia (15)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Arturo Coello (7)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Juan LeBron (1)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Paquito Navarro (1)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (3)

🧨 Quick hits

When it comes to Padel, the professional circus is much like middle-school. Couples break up on a weekly basis and the “who with whom” dominates the conversation. Given the professional year 2024 is coming to a close, it’s high season for precisely this kind of locker-room gossip. Here we go….

Confirmed, Gemma(gnifica) and Claudia Fernandez parting ways for 2025 😳

The world number twos, Triay and Fernandez, who have won six titles together this year, will not be partners next year. Triay confirmed the decision in an interview with Marca.

“No, we will not play together. In Barcelona, we will play our last tournament together. With my future partner, we will try to fight for (the number one spot) in 2025.” Gemma(gnifica) said.

It is rumoured she and Delfi Brea are to team up for the coming season, with the aim to go for an undisputed first place.

Coki Nieto and Mike Yanguas to team up for some magic?

What will happen with Mike Yanguas has been unclear for some time, but according to sources quoted on Padel Alto, Yanguas will reunite with Coki Nieto.

While not completely confirmed, they will likely form a new top partnership next year. This would mean that Coki Nieto and Jon Sanz will split after a year and a half of playing together.

📸 Chingalan (for now) confirmed to bless us for another season 🔥 

This dynamic duo has been making waves since they teamed up in the spring, quickly establishing themselves as one of the top pairs on the world tour. While they've consistently reached the finals and claimed several titles, their victory streak has hit a snag, thanks to the indomitable Tapia and Coello.

However, Galán is far from discouraged. In a recent chat with Diario AS, he confirmed that he and Chingotto are committed to sticking together for the next season.

🎾 Smashing broke. The sad reality of professional Padel

The glitz and glamour of professional padel, with its packed stadiums and international tournaments, has the appeal of a well-oiled and funded pro-sports machine. And if you’ve ever been to a WPT / Premier Padel stop, you surely know it also feels that way up close.

But looks can be deceiving. José Bernal, a seasoned player and club owner, reveals a starkly different reality for those outside the top rankings. He paints a picture of financial struggle, where dedicated athletes can barely afford to compete, let alone "live the dream." This raises serious questions about the sport's sustainability.

Bernal doesn't mince words when he criticizes the current system. He points to the vast sums of money flowing into federations, questioning why more isn't done to support those who aren't already stars. "It's a disgrace," he says, referring to the lack of funding for young players who can't afford to travel to tournaments. He even challenges claims that top players earn millions, suggesting that such figures are wildly inflated.

This financial disparity creates a worrying dependence on family support. Bernal highlights the heartbreaking reality of talented youngsters forced to abandon their padel aspirations because they simply can't afford to pursue them. He argues that the current model, focused on expanding the sport globally with tournaments in expensive locations, only exacerbates the problem. This begs the question: is Padel's rapid growth sustainable if it leaves so many behind?

Bernal's insights offer a sobering counterpoint to the sport's glamorous image. He calls for a shift in focus, urging governing bodies to prioritize equitable resource allocation and support for lower-ranked players. Without this, padel risks becoming a sport where only the elite can truly thrive, jeopardizing its long-term growth and undermining the dedication of countless aspiring professionals.

📺 What to watch

🏆 Premier Padel Finals

The last stop of this year’s professional circus is around the corner (19th-22nd of December) and the stakes could not be higher. Highest price money of the year and all the creds. Just yesterday the final draft was picked and to start off, we’ll see Agus and Arturo going against Paquito and Pablo Cardona.

See the first round draft HERE.
Tune in on YouTube at PremierPadel.