(November 28, 2023)
Today, the New York Atlantics announced the signing of five top-ranked international padel players – Federico Chingotto, Virginia Riera, Tamara Icardo, Juan Martín Díaz, and Lucas Campagnolo – who will compete for the team in the upcoming 2024 season of North America’s Professional Padel League (PPL).
These player signings are significant for the global development of the sport and represent an increasing trend in which globally ranked padel athletes are signing with the rapidly growing North American League.
Most notably, Chingotto, who ranks seventh internationally, is the highest-ranked player to ever join the PPL.
“The sport of padel has exploded in recent years, and I have had the pleasure of competing at the highest level,” said Chingotto. “I look forward to bringing this level of competition to North America with the Atlantics.”
Chingotto, who goes by the nickname “El Ratón” or “The Mouse,” is known for his partnership with fellow Argentinian Juan Tello, which spanned from 2015 to the end of the 2022 season.
The duo, known as “Cat and Mouse,” reached seven finals, including the Premier Padel Paris Major at Roland Garros in 2022.
Riera and Icardo are currently partners on the international circuits and rank eighth and ninth worldwide.
Riera, known as a defensive player who loves counter-attacking and changes of pace, was the first Argentinian player to win a World Padel Tour title since 2014.
This broke a seven-year national drought for the country. Icardo is a legend in València, Spain, and won a European gold medal for her country.
Icardo secured two World Padel Tour titles in Santander (2021) and her hometown of València (2023).
“It is a privilege to be part of the early wave of padel in the United States, and this is only the beginning,” said Icardo. “To join the Atlantics is incredibly exciting, and to do it with Virginia makes it all the more special.”
Díaz, who was announced as a strategic advisor to the team in August 2023, is a 14-time world number-one player from Argentina and is widely considered one of the best in the sport.
Diaz, who just played his final tournament in the World Padel tour, will join the Atlantics as one of the most accomplished padel players ever, with 170 international tournaments won.
Brazilian-born Campagnolo ranked as high as number 21 worldwide and competes on the international circuit with Spanish partner Javier Garrido Gómez.
The Atlantics will continue to build out their roster with a player draft set for early 2024. Each PPL team roster, when finalized, will consist of eight players – two male, two female, and up to four alternate players.
Want to get the latest deals and discounts on your gear from some of the biggest Padel brands in the world?
Simply drop your email below.
Please note that by doing so you are agreeing to our privacy policy – we never spam you, sell your data or pass it on to 3rd parties.
