After Álex Ruiz and Martin Di Nenno left, the Professional Padel Association (PPA) appointed a new leadership team. One of Argentina’s most renowned athletes, Federico Chingotto, assumes the presidency, and Lucas Bergamini of Brazil is named vice president. Jose Antonio Garcia Diestro remains secretary, and Vittorio Mena rejoins as spokesperson. In his opening statement as president, Chingotto stated, “We’re committed to building a structure that truly represents the players.”
A governance paradigm that is being examined
The next general assembly will formally ratify the new board. The PPA is now aiming to increase player participation, efficiency, and transparency by growing its membership and improving its governance style. Bergamini emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership by stating, “This is a moment to rethink how decisions are made and who gets to be part of them.”
A period of calm following months of stress
The PPA had a difficult time before the leadership shift. The group held a combative press conference against the FIP and Premier Padel earlier this year, spearheaded a boycott of events in Gijon and Cancun, and denounced what it called an unfair and opaque circuit. Even while some compromises were achieved, such the reinstatement of earlier award arrangements, the movement stalled and eventually became silent. Garcia Diestro stated, “We needed time to regroup and think about what comes next.”
A long-term strategic plan
In addition to presenting a strategy plan for late 2025 and the 2026 fiscal year, the new leadership has promised to rekindle the association’s energy. The objective is to protect the rights of players at all levels while creating a solid, cohesive, and long-lasting professional padel framework. “We want to create a future where padel players have a real voice and a stable career path,” Chingotto affirmed, setting the tone for a new chapter in the sport’s evolution.