Ale Galan has urged players and organizers to determine the course of padel as it expands around the world and has asked for a collaborative assessment on the sport’s future.
A sport at a turning point
In a recent interview with El Pais, Alejandro Galan, one of the most well-known names in professional padel, offered his opinions on the development of the sport. Galan underlined the importance of having a clear long-term vision as padel continues its explosive growth throughout Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
“We have to decide where we’re going as a sport,” Galan said. “Do we want more spectacle, but fewer tournaments with greater prestige? Or do we want a lot of tournaments and let players choose where to go, like in tennis? We have to see.”
(El Pais, July 2025)His remarks are indicative of the increasing discussions in the padel community on striking a balance between competitive integrity and commercial growth. For players juggling conflicting schedules and different formats, the rise of several circuits, such as Premier Padel and the World Padel Tour, has brought both chances and difficulties.
The conflict between quality and quantity
Galan’s comments draw attention to a crucial conundrum: should Padel promote well-known events with international exposure or keep a busy schedule that permits more participation? The tennis analogy is especially pertinent because tennis players frequently modify their timetables according on their preferred surfaces, ranking objectives, and personal tactics.
The current padel structure, on the other hand, provides less flexibility because many elite players are anticipated to participate in almost every major event. Galan’s proposal paves the way for a more player-driven model in which longevity and performance may be improved via specialization and choice.
Legacy and leadership
Galan’s voice matters because she is the president of the Professional Padel Association. His appeal for strategic planning goes beyond scheduling; it also aims to mold padel’s identity as it advances toward Olympic status and increased foreign investment.
In the same interview, Galan emphasized his faith in the sport’s potential by saying, “Padel is still in its infancy, but I’m convinced it will soon be Olympic.”
Padel is in a position to shape its future, not just in terms of competitions but also in terms of fan interaction, player support, and its place on the international scene, thanks to leaders like Galan.