This is a big surprise on the professional padel circuit: the 14th pair in the world, composed ofAlex Ruiz and Maxi Sanchez, will not participate in the Valladolid Premier Padel P2, a prestigious tournament organized this week in the majestic setting of the Plaza Mayor.

Instead, the two players made the unexpected choice at this level of competing in a much more modest event in the FIP Tour : the FIP Silver of Palermo, in Italy.

A strategic decision… but a confusing one

As the world's elite gather in Valladolid - with a draw that could offer a Galán/Lebrón semi-final - the absence of Ruiz and Sánchez has not gone unnoticed. Maxi Sánchez, a former winner of the WPT Valladolid Masters in 2021, had a strong connection with this tournament.

But behind this surprising choice, hides a points strategy. In the event of a short run in Valladolid, where both players have struggled to get past the last 16 since the start of their association, the gain would be limited: only 45 pointConversely, a final or a victory in Palermo could bring them 45 to 80 points, with a significantly more affordable level of competition.

A more profitable Silver FIP?

Le FIP Silver Palermo in fact offers a well-known points grid:

  • 80 point for the winners
  • 45 for the finalists
  • 25 for a semi-final

A potentially interesting gain for Ruiz and Sánchez who are logically aiming for the title.

But while this calculation may seem rational from a ranking perspective, it raises questions. sports and media questions. Is it really necessary sacrifice a big scene like Valladolid, for more easily accessible points elsewhere? The question divides fans and leaves a taste of unfinished business for those who hoped to see the Spanish-Argentine pair in Spain.

A trend to watch

Could this decision herald others of the same kind? condensed calendar and the FIP circuit points system and Premier Padel lead some players to arbitrate between prestige and efficiencyAt a time when professional padel is seeking to structure itself, the choice of Ruiz and Sánchez could well become a textbook case.

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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