Circumstances bring them together again.  Both without partners after the Paris Major ,  Sanyo Gutiérrez and Javi Garrido have chosen to reunite as a pair  on the occasion of  FIP Platinum Lyon  From September 21 to 27. An association already seen in 2025, for a tournament in Málaga, and which returns this time with the ambition of playing leading roles in the Rhône.

A first experience cut short in Málaga

 Sanyo Gutiérrez and Javi Garrido will not be discovering each other in Lyon.  The two players had already shared the track in  July 2025 during the Málaga Premier Padel P1 .

A first attempt that, however, was short-lived. In their opening match in Málaga, they were defeated by  Agustín Torre / Álvaro Cepero (7/6 6/3) , quickly putting an end to this temporary partnership.  The pair was not subsequently renewed. , each continuing their season on their own.

A little over a year later, the scenario is almost repeating itself:  Available at the same time, Sanyo and Garrido choose to team up again But this time, we're heading to the  FIP Platinum Lyon , with the opportunity to give a completely different future to an association which until then had only played one official match.

Lyon, a tournament they already know

 Sanyo Gutiérrez and Javi Garrido will also not be discovering the Lyon tracks.  Both were present at the 2025 edition of FIP Platinum Lyon, but with different partners and varying fortunes.

Associated to  Agustin Torre Sanyo had achieved the best result of the two.  Seed 7 the pair had successively eliminated  Guillermo Collado / Pol Hernández then  José Jiménez / Maxi Sánchez Blasco , before his career came to an end in  quarter-finals against Álex Ruiz / Juanlu Esbrí (7/6 6/1) .

For its part,  Javi Garrido played with Diego Gil Seeded 6th, the pair had to fight hard right from the start against the young French players.  Yoan Boronad / Timéo Fonteny , finally defeated  7/6 5/7 6/0 The adventure ended in the very next round against  Daniel Santigosa / Marc Sintes (6/4 7/5) .

 A year later, the two men returned to Lyon, but this time on the same side of the track. , with the obvious goal of doing better than in their last appearance.

Two generations, two complementary styles

On paper, the partnership has a lot to offer.  42 years ,  Sanyo Gutiérrez  remains one of the most experienced players on the circuit. A former world number 1, he has played alongside players like  Maxi Sánchez, Agustín Tapia, Fernando Belasteguín and Paquito Navarro "El Mago" retains all the qualities that have made its reputation:  Reading the game, precision, variation, and the ability to build the point from the right side .

Left,  Javi Garrido  brings a very different profile. At 25, the Cordoba native has established himself over several seasons among the circuit's leading figures and has already experienced the  world top 10 Explosive and particularly dangerous in aerial play, it can bring the pair the power needed to finish points and take advantage of his partner's build-up work.

 Seventeen years separate them, but their qualities seem to complement each other perfectly.  Sanyo to organize and direct play, Garrido to accelerate and finish: a fairly natural division of roles. And the timing was just as natural.  Both ended their respective partnerships at the Paris Major finding themselves available at the same time. Having already been briefly associated in the past and with compatible profiles,  Seeing them reunite therefore appeared to be a natural solution A new attempt that could this time allow the pair to launch a real project.

Two dynamics to revive after Paris

However, both players arrive in Lyon with  The last few weeks have been mixed. Sanyo Gutiérrez had rediscovered his form at the beginning of the summer alongside Juanlu Esbrí, notably with a  Pretoria P1 semi-final A few weeks earlier, the Argentinian had also distinguished himself on the FIP circuit by reaching the  Paredes' FIP Platinum final with Maxi Sánchez Blasco , ultimately lost against Juan Tello / Maxi Arce.

For its part,  Javi Garrido has had several interesting results with Lucas Bergamini this season. The two men notably reached the  quarter-finals of the Italy Major in Rome  and above all, unlocked the  title at the FIP Gold in Abidjan , where they had beaten Tello/Arce in the final. But the momentum gradually faded: after early eliminations in London and then Madrid, their adventure at the  Paris Major were eliminated in their opening match against Javi Martínez / Luis Hernández (6/1 7/6) .

Sanyo didn't fare much better at Roland-Garros. Along with Esbrí, he lost in his first match against a qualifier.  Thomas Leygue / Jesus Moya (6/2 4/6 7/5) Two premature eliminations that preceded the end of their respective associations and that give  Sanyo / Garrido: an ideal opportunity to start afresh in Lyon .

In Lyon to write another story

It remains to be seen how far this association can go. In a  FIP Platinum Lyon, which promises to be particularly challenging With several players accustomed to the highest world level already registered, Sanyo Gutiérrez and Javi Garrido will certainly have a chance. Their combined experience remains limited, but  their experience at the highest level and the complementarity of their profiles  can allow them to become competitive quickly.

And both men already know what this event represents. Having competed separately in 2025, they return this time with the ambition to do better together.  Garrido will be looking to get past the round of 16, while Sanyo will be trying to get past the quarter-finals. , the stage at which his journey ended last year. One thing is certain: in a field where opportunistic pairings will be numerous,  Sanyo / Garrido will be one of the pairs to watch very closely at the Palais des Sports de Gerland. 

Raphael Degironde

As a padel fan and player, I scan the padel scene: Beware, you are being watched!