Quick facts
Age: 29
Nationality: Argentine
Ranking: World No. 3, Premier Padel
Known for: “El Ratón” and his relentless right-side defense
Eight Sleep athlete
Meet the athlete who slept in his car on the way to the top
Federico Chingotto has more than 14 career titles, a partnership with Alejandro Galán that transformed his career, and a nickname that began as an offhand joke from a commentator.
But his story starts somewhere much less glamorous: sleeping in a car at a gas station in Argentina at 3 a.m., waiting for the next tournament to begin.
We sat down with Chingotto for an exclusive Dreams interview about sacrifice, recovery, and what it took to become World No. 3.
8 things you didn’t know about Federico Chingotto
1. His nickname came from a cartoon mouse with superpowers
“El Ratón” means “The Mouse.” Spanish media later upgraded it to “Super Ratón.”
The nickname came from a commentator who thought Chingotto’s movement on the court resembled a cartoon superhero mouse. Chingotto did not understand the reference because the show had never aired in Argentina.
The name stuck, and now he thinks it fits. A mouse survives by squeezing into tight spaces and adapting to difficult situations. That is how Chingotto plays.
2. He is 1.70 meters tall in a sport full of much bigger players
Most of Chingotto’s rivals are 10 to 15 centimeters taller than him, so he built his game around anticipation, speed, and reading the court.
He describes it as pulling the match onto his own terrain and reaching the ball half a step before everyone else.
3. He slept in his car between tournaments to save money
Chingotto grew up in Olavarría, around 400 kilometers from Buenos Aires. His family sold raffle tickets and organized fundraisers to help cover the cost of traveling to tournaments.
When money was especially tight, he and his partner would drive through the night and sleep in the car instead of paying for a hotel.
“I know a lot of service stations in Argentina,” he says, with a mix of pride and disbelief.
4. The call that changed his career came as he was leaving the barbershop
Chingotto had competed at the highest level for eight years without winning a title.
Then, at the end of 2023, Alejandro Galán called and asked him to become his partner.
“I was walking out of the hairdresser and I froze. I wasn’t expecting it,” he says.
Their first year together brought 15 consecutive finals and five titles.
5. His pre-match ritual is not hype music. It is fishing videos.
The night before a match, Chingotto watches videos of someone fishing quietly on a riverbank and imagines himself there.
“I am hyperactive. Nervous. And somehow, watching fishing, I go completely still,” he says.
6. Fishing can keep him still for eight hours
Fishing is the one activity that completely resets him.
He can sit beside the water for seven or eight hours without checking his phone, eating, or moving much at all.
“It’s my cable to the ground,” he says.
7. He used to think more hours automatically meant better sleep
Two or three years ago, Chingotto would stay on his phone late at night, struggle to fall asleep, and try to compensate with long naps.
Tracking his sleep helped him understand that time in bed does not always equal good recovery.
“Sometimes you sleep nine or ten hours and still don’t feel rested. I’ve seen it in my data. The deep sleep phases, how you move through the night, that’s what matters,” he says.
8. He already feels like he has achieved his dream
Ask Chingotto what it means to be closing in on the top ranking, and he talks about gratitude rather than trophies.
“I am lucky. I have a place to sleep well. Those small details, they are gifts,” he says.
He considers his childhood dream fulfilled, but his next goal remains clear:
“To be number one.”
How sleep powers Federico Chingotto on the padel court
Chingotto plays more than 90 official matches a year and trains twice a day, Monday through Saturday. At that volume, recovery becomes part of the training itself.
After a late match, his adrenaline can keep running until 2 or 3 a.m. He sleeps on the Pod with his side set to minus 2.
“The Pod really changed my rest. I feel the recovery. I wake up with more energy,” he says. “I notice it in my recovery every single day.”
FAQs about Federico Chingotto
Who is Federico Chingotto?
Federico Chingotto is a 29-year-old Argentine professional padel player ranked World No. 3 in Premier Padel. He plays on the right side and partners with Alejandro Galán.
What is Federico Chingotto’s nickname?
His nickname is “El Ratón,” meaning “The Mouse.” It came from a commentator who compared his quick movement around the court to a cartoon superhero mouse.
Did Federico Chingotto really sleep in his car?
Yes. Early in his career, Chingotto and his partner sometimes slept in their car while traveling between tournaments in Argentina to save money on hotels.
How did his partnership with Alejandro Galán begin?
Galán called Chingotto at the end of 2023 and asked him to play together. Their partnership reached 15 consecutive finals and won five titles in its first year.
How does Federico Chingotto recover between matches?
Chingotto prioritizes physiotherapy, food, time with his family, and quality sleep. He uses the Eight Sleep Pod at minus 2 to help support his recovery after training and late matches.
