The law of the world No. 1s: Coello and Tapia reclaim Rome

The uncontainable joy shown by Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia, rarely so emotional after a victory, said everything about how badly they wanted to reclaim the BNL Italy Major. They had won it in 2023 during their first season together, but then missed out twice in a row, losing both finals to their greatest rivals, Ale Galan and Federico Chingotto. This time, however, the Foro Italico’s flagship event belongs to them once again, more than ever before, after a week worthy of true world No. 1s. They desperately needed this victory to push back the growing ambitions of the Chingalan, who were defeated 7-5 7-6 in a final that lasted 95 minutes. For much of the match, Tapia and Coello were firmly in control, before the contest suddenly became fiercely competitive.

In a Centre Court packed to the brim for the stars of the sport, the outcome seemed all but decided thanks to a run of five consecutive games that turned a 5-4 lead for Galan and Chingotto in the opening set into a 7-5 2-0 advantage for the Golden Boys. The first break, which secured the set, came courtesy of a series of magical plays from Tapia, while the second arrived immediately afterwards to give them control of the second set as well. The Spaniard and the Argentine protected their lead with relative ease until 5-4, when, serving for the match, they conceded the first and only break point of the entire encounter. It was enough to put the set back on track for their opponents, as a mishit smash from Coello levelled the score at 5-5 and breathed new life into Galan and Chingotto. In hindsight, however, very little changed, because the victory was merely delayed by ten minutes or so.

Tapia and Coello eventually sealed the title in a tie-break that remained perfectly balanced until 4-4. Then came a costly error from Galan who, with his nose practically over the net, attempted a drop shot that died in the tape. That moment gave the Golden Boys the decisive momentum. Two points later, the celebrations erupted. Tapia pointed to his temple while Coello ran to embrace him, overwhelmed with joy after a victory of enormous significance. Not only did the triumph at the Foro Italico bring them a title they had not won since the third tournament of the season in Cancún, but perhaps more importantly, it ended their losing streak against Galan and Chingotto, who had beaten them in their previous four meetings and shaken many of the certainties built during more than three years of dominance. Rome has spoken, or rather shouted, to the padel world: the strongest pair in the game are still, and remain, Tapia and Coello.