Federico Chingotto talks about padel with a disarming sincerity. In an in-depth interview conducted by Eight Sleep, the Argentine reflects on his life, his fears, his sacrifices, and the journey that led him to become one of the most beloved players on the circuit. He does so with the same naturalness with which he competes: from the heart. “I really enjoy being on a padel court,” he confesses. And you only have to watch him play to understand that he’s not exaggerating.
His story begins at home. His parents played, he was always near a court, and from a young age he discovered that this sport was his place in the world. He started playing at age five and hasn’t broken up with the 20×10 court since. On his bedroom door was a phrase that has stayed with him his whole life: “Always try to be the best, but never believe you are.” That message kept him grounded even when he began winning tournaments as a child. Today, as a global star, he continues to be guided by that idea.
The sacrifice that shaped him: sleeping in the car and one last chance to fulfill his dream
Before reaching the elite level, Chingotto went through tough times. In Argentina, his family’s finances were tight, and traveling to compete was a luxury. He often slept in the car to avoid paying for a hotel. Raffles, lotteries, and help from friends were part of the journey. But there was a pivotal moment: when he had the chance to travel to Europe, he knew it was his one and only shot. If it didn’t work out, he’d have to return to Argentina and play padel as a hobby. “There’s no greater pressure than that,” he admits. It wasn’t pressure imposed by his family, but by himself. It was the responsibility of trying to fulfill his dream.
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That’s why he approaches everything he experiences today—titles, finals, media exposure—from a different perspective. He’s been through too much for a single defeat to bring him down. “I’ve been through things much harder than losing a match,” he acknowledges. That experience sustains him even now as he fights for the world number one ranking.
The leap to Europe and the tournament that changed his life
At 13 or 14, he realized he wanted to pursue professional padel. He watched the European circuit online and dreamed of being there. His coach at the time, Matías Ortiz, instilled a key idea in him: don’t rush things. Compete in every category, learn to win, learn to lose.
The definitive leap came when he was already Argentina’s number one. He won a tournament that granted a pass to travel to Spain and made his debut in Alicante. Starting from the pre-qualifiers, he advanced to the round of 16, where he faced Paquito Navarro and Sanyo Gutiérrez, then the world’s number two couple. The result was decisive: 6-0 and 6-1 in 45 minutes. But for Chingotto, it was an unforgettable experience. “It was our eighth match and their first. It was a tournament that left a lasting mark on me.”
Doubts, frustration, and a family that never let him down
Like every athlete, he also had moments of uncertainty. He trained for hours on end, but the results didn’t come. It pained him not to be able to repay his family for all the effort they put in so he could compete. There were doubts, second thoughts, frustration. But he was never alone. His family and his coach supported him with a clear idea: enjoy the process. And they were right: things take time, but they happen.
The invisible routine: how Chingotto prepares before and after a match
His competition day is almost a ritual. He wakes up early, eats breakfast, and heads to the gym for an hour of physical warm-up. Preventive movements, quick sprints, explosive exercises. Then he talks to his psychologist to fine-tune his mindset and prepare emotionally for the match. Before lunch, he analyzes the tactical details of the match with his coach. If he can, he takes a short nap. Then he arrives at the club more than an hour early, does a long warm-up, and practices with the ball before competing.
After the match, the first thing he does is call his family. Then he talks with his team, showers, receives physical therapy, and has dinner. Everything is designed so that his body and mind are in sync.
The mental shift: from one title in eight years to five in a few months
During his time with Juan Tello, Chingotto played in many finals, but winning was difficult. Until something changed. “One day, something clicks in your head,” he admits. Suddenly, he began to feel more confident in decisive moments. Calmer in the finals. Better prepared to win. That change coincided with his partnership with Ale Galán, a player accustomed to competing for titles. “Ale exudes calm. That helps a lot,” he explains.
But the click wasn’t just external. Chingotto had been accumulating experience for years: junior finals, World Cup tournaments, pressure since childhood. All of that, combined with his work with his psychologist, finally clicked into place. He went from winning one title in eight years to stringing together five in just a few months. From playing 30 or 40 matches a year to never playing fewer than 90. From living a quiet life to having commitments, interviews, sponsors, and cameras all around him. “I like taking naps and relaxing at home. Now it’s harder,” he admits.
How the Chingotto–Galán couple began
The end of 2023 was a turning point. Chingotto was wrapping up his partnership with Paquito Navarro and felt he was growing mentally. He decided to call Galán to explore possibilities. They talked, but didn’t finalize anything. In 2024, while playing with Momo González, he received an unexpected call. He thought it was an invitation to dinner. He was leaving the barber shop. But no: Galán wanted to start a partnership together. Chingotto accepted without hesitation. It was his chance. That’s how a couple was born that today fights for everything.
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The pressure of being number one and how he handles defeats
The pressure is there, but it doesn’t overwhelm him. “The biggest pressure was having just one shot to fulfill my dream,” he explains. That’s why he now approaches everything with a different perspective. When he loses, especially if he feels he didn’t give 100%, it hurts. But he resets quickly. “It’s a padel match. It’s no big deal. In a week, you have another chance.”
His anchors are clear: his family, his girlfriend, his friends, his team, and a tattoo dedicated to a friend who is no longer with us. All of that keeps him grounded. For him, resetting is above all a mental process. If the mind doesn’t rest, neither does the body. And if the mind says “you’re tired,” the body won’t respond.
A player who embodies the essence of padel
Chingotto has witnessed the evolution of padel from the inside. From playing on concrete courts in Argentina to competing in packed stadiums around the world. “Padel isn’t going to stop. It’s going to become increasingly global,” he says. He’s played in Russia, Mexico, Egypt, the United States… and soon, perhaps, in Japan. For him, every trip is a reminder of how far that boy who slept in his car to compete has come.
Federico Chingotto’s story is the story of a dream pursued with humility, sacrifice, and passion. It is the story of a player who never gives up, who adapts, who competes with his heart. And it is also the story of a man who, despite being at the top, continues to enjoy padel just as he did as a child. Chingotto doesn’t just play padel: he feels it.
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