Fede Chingotto and Ale Galán have rewritten the narrative of the padel world. After years of playing second fiddle to Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, the duo guided by Jorge Martínez has now turned the tables, claiming their fourth title of the season with a gritty, authoritative performance at the Asunción P2.
Chingotto and Galán celebrating their victory at the SND Arena. (Premier Padel / Rodrigo Vázquez)
There was a time when Chingotto and Galán seemed destined to live in the shadow of the ‘Golden Boys.’ No matter their effort or strategy, they often fell short, crushed by the firepower of rivals who appeared untouchable. But those ghosts dissipated at the end of last year, and today the reality has shifted. Now, it is Coello and Tapia who struggle to find an answer. In the Asunción P2 final, history was once again written in gold letters.
The ‘Mozart of Catamarca’ and the ‘King’ entered the final brimming with confidence after dominating the quarterfinals and semifinals. They seemed poised for redemption, but they hit a wall of reality. When it mattered most, on the stage where champions are forged, they were again outplayed—a cold shower for those who thought they had regained their absolute shine.
Coello and Tapia facing Chingotto and Galán in the Asunción P2 final. (Premier Padel)
The case of Ale and Fede is the flip side of the coin. If in 2025 their impeccable game wilted on Sundays, in 2026 they have learned to win through suffering. In Paraguay, they walked a tightrope, but when the ball was hottest, they elevated their game to an unattainable level. Because to be number one, you don’t need to shine every day—only to be relentless when the trophy is on the table.
Chingotto’s Strategic Masterclass
The match opened with a clear statement: Coello and Tapia had not had their serve broken all week, yet in the very first game, ‘Chingalán’ shattered that statistic. The ‘Alien’ maintained his suffocating pressure, but it was Fede Chingotto who, after a quiet start to the tournament, carried the team on his back with a tactical masterpiece. Although the SND Arena saw a closely contested battle, the crucial points—those that decide championships—consistently fell in favor of the world number two pair. Exploiting the slightest gaps, they closed the first set 6-3, stunning the favorites.
The ‘Golden Boys’ attempted to fight back with pride, but they faced a pair that no longer knows how to give in. With a decisive 7-5 second set, sealed by two breathtaking points from an imperial Chingotto, they secured their fourth crown of the year.
This title in Asunción goes beyond ranking points. It is confirmation that they are more prepared than ever to seize the world throne. The ghosts that once haunted them now seem to have switched sides; it is they who have the measure of the ‘Classic.’ Chingotto and Galán no longer just compete—they dominate.
