During the winter break of the World Padel Tour, the annual musical chairs game is taking place. Even the top professionals are not immune to the idea that their lack of success must be down to their partner, and so they happily swap around in the winter in the hope of becoming even more competitive. This year there are some really spectacular new pairings and we are introducing them to you here, leaning out of the window a little and assessing their chances of success.
For the men, the question is: Can Juan Lebron and Ale Galan be beaten? These new pairings want to try:
Fernando Belasteguín and Sanyo Gutiérrez. The king and the magician are finally playing together! With a new racket and a new partner, Bela wants to outsmart age and become number 1 again. He has chosen the magician Sanyo Guttierez as his partner, who also wants to return to the padel throne. Can the two alpha animals develop into an unbeatable unit or will age and big egos get in the way too much?
Padelfreunde Ranking: It won't be enough for Galan/Lebron and we doubt the harmony of this pairing. 4th place.
Pablo Lima and Agustín Tapia. The brilliant Agustin Tapia is getting stronger from game to game and after his Masters success against Galan/Lebron he knows that it can be done. If things click with Lima then the two can be trusted to attack the top in the long term. In the first year it won't be quite enough to topple Galan/Lebron but they will be in contention for tournament victories.
Padelfreunde Ranking : 3rd place
Paquito Navarro and Martín Di Nenno. Paquito has not missed how much Martin di Nenno has developed. With Silingo he reached the semi-finals four times last year, and with Paquito he will be competing for tournament victories. This pairing could be the surprise of the season.
Padelfreunde Ranking: Behind Galan/Lebron in waiting position. 2nd place
Coki Nieto and Juan Martín Díaz. In the fight against age, Juan Martin Diaz has once again reached into the fountain of youth and fished out one of the most talented young players. With Coki Nieto he has really made a catch. If he stays injury-free, the two can cause a few surprises.
Padelfreunde Ranking: Place 5-7
Franco Stupaczuk and Álex Ruíz. We are not really convinced by this pairing. Last season Stupa played with Sanyo for tournament victories and so the pairing with Ruiz, who is more in the middle of the rankings, seems like a step backwards. Were all the top players already sold out?
Padelfreunde Ranking: Place 10 -15
Maxi Sánchez and Tito Allemandi. In one word: Solid
Padelfreunde Ranking: Place 8-10
Pablo Lijó and Lucho Capra: On good days, both are world class. If they work together well, they could cause surprises. But they won't make it past one or two semi-finals.
Padelfreunde Ranking: Top 10 is in
There are also big surprises among the women:
Gemma Triay and Alejandra Salazar. The most successful pairing of last year splits up after the best season together. Quitting when things are going well? Argument? In any case, the current number 1 and the current number 2 are now coming together. What could go wrong? In the women's competition, the top players are all very close to each other, but Ale Salazar always finds a way to become number 1. We firmly believe in this pairing:
Padel Friends Ranking: Numero Uno
Marta Marrero and Marta Ortega. The Martas are back! After short trips with other partners, the two top players have decided to play together again to challenge the number 1 in the world rankings again. The road to tournament victory will lead through the Martas.
Padelfreunde Ranking: 2nd place
Ariana Sánchez and Paula Josemaría. We love the imaginative play of the little powerhouse Paula Josemaria and believe she can do a lot with the world number 1 Ari Sanchez. But it won't be enough to make it to the absolute top.
Padelfreunde Ranking: Place 4-5
Bea González and Lucía Sainz. The talent of 19-year-old Gonzalez is almost limitless. Together with Lucia Sainz, she will continue to cause a sensation.
Padelfreunde Ranking: Place 3-4
Eli Amatriaín and Sofía Araujo. With Eli and Patty, one of the most consistent couples of recent years has split up. Eli will now attack with the talented Portuguese Sofia Araujo. We are looking forward to it and think: something is happening!
Padel friends ranking: 4-5
Catalina Tenorio and Ana Catarina Nogueira. At 45 and 42 years old, two of the most experienced players have joined forces to teach the youngsters how to run. Will it work? Unfortunately, it won't be enough to make it to the top, but the two of them will definitely not be cannon fodder.
Padel friends ranking: Top 10
New teams on the World Padel Tour
