The Padel Report

Your insider guide to the world's fastest-growing racket sport

Gemma Triay's bombshell announcement that she's parting ways with coach Rodri Ovide after just one tournament this season has sent shockwaves through the padel world. The split comes after six and a half years together—a partnership that saw Triay reach No. 1 with three different playing partners. Meanwhile, Italian duo Flavio Abbate and Alvaro Montiel are proving that second chances can pay off, claiming their first title since reuniting at the FIP Bronze event in Agadir.

Big Developments

🚨 Triay-Ovide coaching partnership ends after 6.5 years

World No. 1 Gemma Triay announced she's splitting with longtime coach Rodri Ovide following their runner-up finish at the Riyadh P1. The Menorcan star posted an emotional Instagram message saying the decision was "mutual" and made "from deep admiration and immense affection." Their partnership had delivered three No. 1 rankings with different playing partners—Lucía Sainz, Alejandra Salazar, and current partner Delfi Brea.

Why it matters: This timing is brutal for the reigning No. 1 pair. Triay and Brea haven't won a tournament since Rotterdam P1 on October 5th, and now they're entering the season's crucial early months without their strategic architect. Ovide wasn't just Triay's coach—he was courtside for the entire Triay-Brea partnership. The immediate question: will Jorge Martínez return after leaving the team last season due to "contrary ideas" with Triay? Read more at AnalistasPadel

🏆 Italian reunion delivers in Morocco

Flavio Abbate and Alvaro Montiel proved their decision to reunite was the right call, capturing the FIP Bronze title in Agadir as the No. 4 seeds. The Italian pair defeated compatriot Marco Cassetta and Spain's Mario Huete 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a thrilling final. "We deserved this title; we fought to obtain it and we achieved it," said Montiel. "We know how much work it took."

Why it matters: This victory validates the power of established chemistry over "paper" pairings on the FIP circuit. Abbate jumped seven spots to No. 71 in the rankings, while Montiel rose six places to No. 80—crucial movement that improves their seeding and entry prospects for upcoming tournaments. With 40 ranking points on offer, wins like this can reshape entire seasons for players fighting to crack the top tiers. Read more at Padel FIP

Teemo's Thoughts: The Triay-Ovide split feels like a panic move, honestly. You don't break up a 6.5-year partnership after one tournament unless something was seriously broken behind the scenes. Sure, they haven't won since October, but they're still No. 1 and just made a P1 final! Meanwhile, Abbate-Montiel's reunion shows what happens when players trust their instincts over rankings spreadsheets—sometimes the best move is going back to what worked.

Insights

Premier Padel's points system creates strategic dilemmas

The 2026 Premier Padel season structure is forcing players to make tough choices about tournament scheduling and energy management. With ranking points distributed across different tournament categories, some teams are prioritizing deep runs over selective scheduling strategies.

Why it matters: Understanding this points architecture explains why you'll see "surprise" entries from top players in smaller tournaments and why mid-season fatigue becomes a real factor. Teams can't afford to coast on reputation—every tournament matters for seeding and qualification, making the tour more unpredictable than ever. Read more at Red Bull

Quick Hits

• Upset alert in Dubai: Hernandez-Collado took down the more established Garrido-Bergamini pairing, proving the FIP circuit is increasingly punishing for complacent favorites. Read more at Padel FIP

• Star power grows: From F1 to NBA to football, global sports celebrities continue flocking to padel, driving club demand and corporate partnerships in non-traditional markets. Read more at AnalistasPadel

• Viral moment gone wrong: A player's overzealous shot attempt resulted in accidentally hitting their partner in the head with a paddle—a reminder that clear communication and spacing matter, especially in mixed-level play. Read more at Mundo Deportivo

Community Updates

Great Britain levels up coaching staff: The LTA has appointed Spanish padel legend Iciar Montes as Performance Coach, bringing proven methodology to strengthen GB's high-performance pathway. This coaching IP transfer often provides the fastest development lever for emerging padel nations. Read more at The Padel Paper

Jakarta regulates court hours: The city governor is moving to limit padel court operating hours in residential areas—a sign of market maturity that forces clubs to professionalize their community relations and sound management strategies. Read more at Antara News

That's a wrap for this week. Keep your eye on how Triay-Brea adapt without Ovide—and whether other top teams start second-guessing their own coaching setups.