Emotions all around: Madrid bids farewell to Ale Salazar as Brea-Triay and the ‘Chingalan’ triumph

It was a day of intense emotions at the Movistar Arena. Madrid bid farewell to Ale Salazar, the extraordinary champion who played a tournament in her home city for the final time in her career, while two finals, both decided in three sets, were played before and after the tribute to Salazar. In the end, after more than five hours of top-level padel, Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay triumphed in the women’s draw, while Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan claimed the men’s title. A spectacular way to begin the second part of the season, which will continue tomorrow with the Paris Major at Roland Garros.

 

WOMEN A sixth title of the season for Delfi Brea and Gemma Triay, who defeated Paula Josemaria and Bea Gonzalez 6-7 6-3 6-3 to draw level with them in the standings for the number of tournaments won this season. After losing the first set in a tiebreak, Delfi and Gemma were also trailing 3-2 in the second, but a run of four consecutive games took the match into a deciding set, where two breaks – one in the third game and one in the ninth – made the difference for the Argentine and the Spaniard. With the victory, Triay joined Salazar on 58 titles in the ranking of players with the most titles on the major professional circuits. “Winning here in Spain, in front of our families, is special”, said Gemma. “We had our ups and downs in the first set, but we are prepared to fight. I’m really happy and proud”. “The most difficult thing during a competition is not having good feelings and fighting to change them, and that’s what we did”, added Delfi. “We are lucky to be surrounded by a team like this: it’s a privilege.”

 

MEN The men’s final also lasted three sets, with Coki Nieto and Mike Yanguas, playing their first Premier Padel tournament together after losing all 12 of their semifinals in 2025 – six of them against today’s opponents – coming close to a remarkable achievement against Fede Chingotto and Ale Galan. Trailing 5-4 in the second set, the tournament’s fifth seeds broke the ‘Chingalan’ serve twice in a row before taking the set 7-5. The ninth game of the third set, however, proved to be the decisive moment, as Chingotto and Galan secured the crucial break – their third from 24 break points conceded by Nieto and Yanguas – before sealing a 6-4 5-7 6-4 victory and their seventh title of the season, just one behind Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia. “The Madrid crowd is incredible”, said Chingotto. “Congratulations to Coki and Mike for the tournament they played. I have to thank Ale for helping me win this title. Let’s enjoy every single moment”. “Winning at home is wonderful”, said Galan. “It applies to Fede in Buenos Aires and to me in Madrid. The support of the crowd always leaves me speechless”.

 

These are special days for Chingotto and Galan, both on and off the court. Ale had already announced that he is expecting a child, and yesterday it was Fede’s turn to share the same news. Their families will soon be growing.