ShareBy Abdellatif Sharaa and Ghadeer Ghloum
KUWAIT: The Premier Padel Kuwait P1 tournament, sponsored by BNK, continues at Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait, with the main draw starting Monday. In the round of 64, R Valenzuela and P Hernandez Alvarez defeated A Melendez and C Guitierez, while M Lamperti and D Santigosa Sastre claimed victory over A Fernandez and J Jimenez Casas. J Esbri and F Gil bested J Solano Marmolejo and J Ramirez, and I Sager and S Oria overcame L Hernandez Quesada. F Guerrero and J Bautista defeated D Perino and J Ruiz, and A Patiniotis and J Moya triumphed over A Alawadhi and F Erguy.
Marc Arcusa, head coach of padel in Kuwait and a native of Catalonia, Spain, shared his insights with Kuwait Times, reflecting on his two years coaching in Kuwait and his current role in overseeing teams at Premier Padel P1 Kuwait.
While one of his teams, featuring Abdullah Al-Rawdan and Mohammed Al-Qattan, faced an early exit in the qualifiers, he remains optimistic about their progress, noting strong team morale.
Arcusa expressed gratitude to BNK for organizing the tournament, highlighting its role in advancing padel in Kuwait. He hopes to see more events like this in the future, as they provide valuable experiences not only for coaches and players but for the entire community. He emphasized that continued investment in padel is essential for its growth.
Barbara Las Heras, a professional padel player, also spoke to Kuwait Times about her experiences, marking this as her second visit to Kuwait. Her brand, she noted, is Kuwaiti, and she commended the tournament’s flawless organization, which she said meets players’ expectations.
Las Heras was delighted by the local enthusiasm for the matches, saying she felt the excitement from fans who anticipated the players’ arrival. Competing in the women’s 32-pair draw and the 16-team female qualifiers, her tournament matches are set Wednesday. She expressed appreciation for BNK’s support, which she said has made the experience enjoyable for players and fans alike.
Javier Navarro, from Valencia, Spain, entered the tournament with a wildcard spot in the main draw. He described his experience in Kuwait as “amazing”, appreciating the convenience of the facilities and the close proximity of amenities. “If there’s any problem, you just ask, and you get whatever you need,” he said.
Navarro praised the courts as “excellent and well-prepared”, seeing Kuwait P1 2024 as a significant opportunity and potentially a major event in the future. He acknowledged the challenging matches ahead, noting the high level of competition but remained determined to compete and aim for victory.
