Agustin Tapia paused after winning the title in the final in Rotterdam to praise Federico Chingotto and Juan Lebron Galan, his opponents, for their skill and reliability. The Argentine sensation, who still rules the padel circuit with Arturo Coello, highlighted how competing against elite players forces him to get better.
“Chingalan improves us.” With a mixture of respect and rivalry, Tapia remarked of the pair, “We make it to the finals knowing they’ll be there.”
Excellence is the foundation of rivalry.
A combination of Chingotto and Galan, the moniker “Chingalan” has come to denote one of the most formidable duos in professional padel. The respect that exists between top athletes, where competition is about more than just winning but also raising the bar for the sport, is reflected in Tapia’s remarks.
Both partners displayed tactical accuracy and athletic skill throughout the Rotterdam final, but Tapia and Coello prevailed in the end. However, Tapia’s post-game remarks made clear that wins have greater significance when they are gained against opponents of that caliber.
An expanding tradition in padel
A new age in padel is being shaped by Tapia and Coello’s ongoing success, while opponents like Chingotto and Galan are a part of their path. These pairs’ bouts have developed into tour highlights, attracting spectators and elevating the level of competition.