The ‘shot of the year’ that ignites the final
At the heart of the FIP World Cup Pairs final at The Arena Kuwait (Sunday, November 9, 2025), Agustín Tapia attempted – and succeeded – an exceptional move, immediately dubbed the ‘shot of the year’ by the community. The sequence was shared by the FIP the same day, proof of the viral moment and the world No. 1’s audacity. A spectacular highlight that summarizes Tapia’s style: pure creativity, surgical timing, and the ability to surprise at any moment.
Despite the brilliance, Chingotto-Galán claim the title
While the flash of genius brought the house down, it wasn’t enough to reverse the outcome: Federico Chingotto & Alejandro Galán prevailed after a tough final, concluded in three sets with a 6-2 victory in the third. Red Bull’s report confirms their world title and highlights Galán’s defensive solidity and Chingotto’s consistency in crunch time. An individual masterpiece… in a lost final: the contrast also explains why the action left such a strong impression.
A modern ‘clásico’: two pairs, a rivalry at the top
Since 2024, the duel between Coello–Tapia vs Chingotto–Galán has become the recurring theme of major finals. They have met – and often re-matched – in all major events, with victories on both sides: ‘Chingalán’ for example took the lead in Brussels 2024, while Coello-Tapia regained the upper hand in other major stages in 2025. Circuit media speak of an ‘endless battle’ as the confrontation repeats at the highest level.
What Tapia’s shot tells us about today’s padel
Tapia’s viral move illustrates a strong trend: elite padel is no longer just about power and consistency; it’s also about creativity, variations, and instinct. Coello-Tapia push the limits of attack, while Chingotto-Galán counter with defensive reading and a return quality that breaks down the most aggressive plans. The balance between these styles explains the frequency of their finals and the appeal of the ‘clásico’. Even though he was defeated that day, Tapia reminds us that a flash of brilliance can change the energy of a match… and the imagination of a sport.
