Ale and Fede: “The comeback after the first set? We have a motto: ‘Until the end…’”

Sitting at the press conference table, Fede Chingotto and Ale Galán, almost hidden behind the many TV microphones, have the look of people who just won a World Championship. Actually, the FIP World Cup Pairs. After the greetings and congratulations, the first question is simple but the right one: “Guys, after the deciding point, what did you feel and think when you realized you had become world champions?” Chingotto’s answer: “Honestly, it’s an enormous happiness, because beyond this tournament I think the work we’re doing as a team, quietly, day by day, training to try to be better and a better partner for each other, is the key. And without a doubt, getting this award is the most important thing.”

Galán echoes him: “We’re really happy, very glad; my head was exploding on the last point, I was praying they’d hit it out, but I tried to block everything out by focusing on the work we had done before and just keep going. When it ended, it was a sigh from the heart and a huge joy.” Then they reflect on the match: “Were we able to save seven break points? From the moment we stepped on the court – Galán reflects – we thought we could win the match. It’s true that, as I said in the post-match interview, they put pressure on us that no other pair does, and until you adjust to that pace, it’s really tough. But, as we always say, our motto is ‘until the end’: always play one more ball, keep believing and look for our chances. Our break – concludes Ale Galán – came because we made a change, because they were pressuring us and we were just surviving in the second set.”

Then they are asked how they found the right inspiration when it looked like it could end in a loss. Chingottoexplains the secret that isn’t really a secret: “We’re a great team, in good times and bad. Every day we try to improve, every day we push ourselves a bit more. Everyone makes an effort, and I think all of us, including the team behind us, know that we’re also doing it for the others. Because everyone gives a bit more, and the least they deserve is that we fight until the end. It’s our motto: fight for every ball. I had promised to give everything – Chingotto continues – from start to finish, until my legs can’t go anymore, and that’s what I try to do. And Ale does the same, he always believes in me. Jorge too, he asks, I respond, and they do the same with me. They’ve given me a place in an incredible group that trusts me completely, and that fills my heart and helps me perform better. This is what we are: we build it day by day, and it pushes us to fight for every point.”

And if since Paris they have won four titles out of five, something has really changed decisively. Galán takes the floor: “We’ve been saying it for a while: this year we were really close, very tight results, but it wasn’t just about results, also about the game. We were missing those key moves in each set, keeping the level we had for 80% of the time. Now things are going our way. No one can play at 100% all year, but this dynamic is really positive and we’ll try to keep it going.”