The Last Dance, to borrow the title of the famous documentary about Michael Jordan's final season, is exactly how Ale Salazar imagined this farewell chapter. She wants to compete until the very end, not simply make up the numbers during her final trip around the world before retirement. Just three days ago, Salazar, the most successful player in padel history with 58 career titles, was on court in the final of the FIP Platinum Albania, where she lost to Veronica Virseda and Marina Guinart. Now, however, her focus has already shifted to the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel and Wednesday's opening match against Giulia Dal Pozzo and Nuria Rodriguez.

Her main goal is clear: to enjoy every emotion of her final season as a professional player. 'The decision to retire at the end of 2026 was a considered one, and I approached it calmly', she said during media day. 'Every time I step on court, I try to be the best version of myself, giving everything and living every day, every moment of every tournament'. She will begin her campaign against an Italian player and could potentially face another one, Carolina Orsi, in the round of 16, at a tournament she considers among the best in the world.

'I would put Rome among my top five tournaments. The city and the Foro Italico have a special aura. They are iconic places, and the fact that this is a Major pushes you to give even more. I don't have particularly happy memories here because I've never reached the semi-finals, but I would love to leave this year with a positive feeling'. Even if the result does not come, there are things she values more. 'A career is not measured by trophies and victories. It's measured by your ability to bring out the best version of yourself on every occasion. You can't always play the way you want, but what matters is giving your best even when the sensations are not ideal'.

Her perspective on padel, and on life itself, has evolved. 'At this stage of my career, recovery is more important than training, quality is more important than quantity. Injury prevention becomes essential, and that also means relying on the team around me so that both my body and mind can benefit. There's work on court, in the gym, but also with a sports psychologist to help manage these emotions'. Different emotions are being experienced by Ale Alonso, who turned 20 in Tirana and is accompanying Salazar on this final chapter of her career. 'And it's a privilege,' Alonso said. 'I'm learning so much, especially how to fight. Even when a match becomes difficult, there are always solutions'.

It is too early to think about 2027, when Alonso will inevitably need a new partner. For now, she is simply enjoying the experience. 'It's wonderful to think that Ale is playing with me'. If Salazar represents the past and present of world padel, Alonso embodies both the present and the future. At just 20 years old, she has been thrust into a reality that can sometimes feel bigger than herself. In Tirana, on her birthday, she won the semi-final of the FIP Platinum Albania but broke down in tears during the post-match interview. Those tears carried many emotions.

'There's also a difficult side to what we do, and many people don't realise it. It's true that we travel a lot and visit places we would never otherwise see, but we also miss many things at home: birthdays, celebrations with friends, seeing them go out while you have to stay home and focus on your career. Those sacrifices have helped me mature. I try to make the most of every positive experience, also thanks to the help of my psychologist. It's difficult, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world'.