Every season begins in much the same way for Ale Galán. At 29, the Madrid native is perfectly familiar with the demands of the highest level on the circuit. Premier PadelIntense physical preparation, repetitions, specific work: the machine needs to be restarted. And as is often the case, the body sends some signals.

This year again, the Leganés player has had to deal with minor hand injuries that appeared after the end of the previous season. Nothing structurally serious, but sensitive enough to prompt him to take a break. After the final in Barcelona, ​​he took several weeks off from playing tennis. A deliberate, almost ritualistic pause that he considers necessary to start fresh.

According to him, this scenario repeats itself regularly: after an intense series of tournaments, he feels the need for a real padel "reset" in order to allow his hand to heal and his body to fully recover.

Our colleagues from Padel Review and Mundo Deportivo have allowed us to learn more about the current situation.

A convincing comeback alongside Chingotto

These minor injuries, however, did not hinder his return to competition. Partnered with Fede Chingotto, Galán quickly found his form at the start of the 2026 season.

From the very first major event of the season in Saudi Arabia, the duo put together a solid performance. After a controlled semi-final, the Spanish-Argentine pair secured their place in the final, thus earning their first title opportunity right from the start of the season. A significant beginning, confirming that the physical adjustments made during the off-season have in no way diminished their competitiveness.

The number one objective is in sight.

For Galán and Chingotto, the ambition is clear: to establish themselves as a permanent contender for the world number one spot. Managing the details – recovery, prevention, planning – is an integral part of this strategy.

While the start of the year often rhymes with adaptation for the Madrid player, the results obtained in Saudi Arabia show that these delicate passages do not constitute a hindrance, but rather a transitional step towards a high level of performance.

The season has only just begun, but the message is already clear: despite physical setbacks, Galán remains a key player in the world hierarchy.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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