By Abdellatif Sharaa and Ghadeer Ghloum
KUWAIT: The Premier Padel Kuwait P1 tournament, hosted at the Rafa Nadal Academy and sponsored by BNK Holding, is in full swing as the competition heats up in the Round of 32. Players are pushing their limits to secure spots in the upcoming rounds, aiming for the prestigious title and a share of the tournament’s impressive €470,000 prize pool.
In the women’s draw, the team of Ari Sanchez Fallada, a BNK-sponsored player, and Paula Josemaria Martin emerged victorious over Alba Ustero Prieto and Aitana Alonso De Villa with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win. Marta Ortega Gallego and Sofia Araújo also advanced, defeating Lara Arruabarrena and Jessica Polo Bautista 6-3, 6-1.
Meanwhile, Marta Barrera De La Fuente and Marta Caparrós Maldonado secured their place by defeating Barbara Las Heras and Sara Bellver Frutuoso 6-1, 6-2. In a tight three-set match, Raquel Eugenio Barrera and Marina Fassio Goyeneche triumphed over Maria Riera and Claudia Goenaga 6-3, 4-6, 7-6.
In the men’s division, BNK-sponsored Juan Lebron and M Di Nenno defeated J Esbri and F Gil 6-1, 6-1, Enrique Alonso and J Gonzalez dominated Javi Rico and A. Gutierrez 6-0, 6-2, while Juan Garcia and Javi Barahona advanced after a challenging three-set victory over Alex Arroyo and Alejandro Ruiz, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5. Franco Stupaczuk and Martin Yanguas defeated E Torre and J Valdes 6-1, 6-2, and P Cardona with F Navarro beat A Ayats and P Garcia Rodrigo 7-6, 6-2.
Under the leadership of BNK Holding Chairman Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, the tournament has drawn over 150 top-ranked global players to Kuwait, marking the country’s significant entry into the Premier Padel circuit. Taking place from November 9-17 at The Arena, 360 Mall and the Rafa Nadal Academy, this event aims to elevate Kuwait’s position in the international sports landscape and forge a connection between local fans and the global padel community.