📢 Only a few days left to enter until 2 massive comps close. Live Draw 8:30pm Monday 16th
British number one Aimee Gibson and her partner Alba Perez secured their second straight win at FIP Bronze Lyttos III this week.
This follows their FIP Silver Reap Hong Kong win last week to make it two wins in succession, an exciting feat for women’s padel, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
This week, the CUPRA FIP Tour returned to Crete for the third time in 2025 with the FIP Bronze Lyttos III, featuring both the men’s and women’s draws.
In the women’s main draw, Perez (67) and Gibson (84) won the title, their second in a row after the FIP Silver Reap Hong Kong last week.
They won the final 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 against Monica Gomez (75) and Claudia Escacena (107), who had won the FIP Bronze Lyttos I in June.
“I’m over the moon to win back-to-back FIPs with Alba,” Aimee told The Padel Paper. “I can’t really believe it.
“We played a really good tournament with some tough matches along the way. We were able to play a really high level in the final even though it went to three sets.
“In the third set we played a little bit better than them and took a few more risks.”
You may also like: Team USA wins inaugural Anglo American Padel Cup in London after epic battle vs Great Britain
The CUPRA FIP Tour is a professional, international tour of padel tournaments featuring many of the leading players across the world.
Formed in 2019, the CUPRA FIP Tour is just one step below the Premier Padel Tour and it’s where professional players begin as they hone their skills and continue to work up their rankings.
Gibson and Perez are now headed to a FIP Bronze in Bahrain, hoping to secure a title hat-trick before the left-handed Brit teams up with GB number two Catherine Rose at the inaugural LTA Padel National Championship in Bristol from December 4-7.
“I am so happy with the progress I’ve made in the last few months. Credit to Alex, my coach at Rocks Lane in London,” said Gibson.
“We don’t get to spend much time together and yet he’s able to help me when I’m back in the UK, even if it’s just for a couple of days in between tournaments. That’s really been helping my game improve.”
Gibson has been in top form this season since her rise in padel, making her way into the world’s top 100 after only turning pro in 2023.
The 34-year-old’s FIP Silver Reap Hong Kong win is her third FIP Silver title of the season, adding to her wins at the FIP Silver Australian Open and FIP Silver Melbourne.
Heineken® 0.0 has announced a multi-year partnership with Playtomic, the world’s largest racket-sports community, set to launch with an interactive event in December.
The partnership aims to provide the brands with a fresh approach to connecting padel players by curating bespoke experiences designed to reflect each brand’s shared belief in quality socialising, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
A core feature of the partnership will be Open Matches by Heineken® 0.0, an event designed to broaden padel players’ social networks by connecting them to each other, ultimately turning each padel game into a fresh experience.
The feature will be introduced in December at the launch event, set to take place in Barcelona, where the two brands will unveil a pop-up padel court open to the public.
With many padel players choosing to participate in the sport to meet new people, the event is set to celebrate the growing cultural presence and social nature of padel.
You may also like: From a humble start to celebrity endorsements – how padel became a lifestyle
“Playtomic’s dedicated and vast community combined with Heineken’s commitment to quality socializing and refreshing beer will create memorable experiences for millions of players everywhere,” said Bram Westenbrink, Chief Commercial Officer for Heineken, in a press statement.
“Together, we’re building opportunities for players to meet and celebrate authentic moments in an environment that is rapidly growing around the world.”
Socialising is a core characteristic of padel that elevates the sport beyond competitiveness, with many players joining the sport for the social connections it fosters.
Antonio Robert, Managing Director at Playtomic, noted this when he said: “Padel is the fastest-growing sport, and by far the most social sport of our era.
“With so much potential to spark new connections through a game of padel, we’re delighted to have partnered with a global brand like Heineken® 0.0 who are so focused on helping people find others who share their passions.”
A partnership with a major brand like Heineken is a major milestone for the padel community, with Robert stating: “Heineken® 0.0 has recognised the potential in padel and Playtomic, and we want to turn every moment on and off the court into an experience that brings something new and exciting to padel players across the world.”
Playtomic is the world’s largest community for racket sports clubs and players.
Through its platform, users can search and book courts for padel, tennis or pickleball, connect with new players, find opponents, join groups and improve their skills.
Read next: Padel news: Court master Gareth Evans launches padel fashion brand
There now are brand sponsorships, celebrity hosted events, official drink partnerships and luxury courts.
Padel is no longer just a sport, it is a lifestyle, writes Sports News Blitz’s padel journalist Vanely Barumire.
The racket sport, unknown to many parts of the world only a few years ago, is rapidly growing and changing the way people view sports and socialising.
So how has padel become a lifestyle not only to take part in but strive for?
Before padel became a global phenomenon, it was part of the culture in a few Spanish speaking nations.
Its popularity in Argentina and Spain was unmatched, explaining the incredible domination of the sports by the two countries.
Popularised in Europe by Spain, the country has always embraced and integrated padel into everyday life long before it was trendy to play the sport.
With it being the second most played sport in the country, behind football, padel in Spain is a lifestyle. It was created as a couple’s favourite pastime and has kept its charm.
The sport, as competitive as it is becoming, is about socialising – something millions of people are getting behind and adding to their daily routines.
Movie stars and influencers are the digital age’s best marketers.
Helping create a whole world around a product, celebrity endorsements are unmatched marketing tools and many have been a promoter for padel without realising it.
With big names such as Tom Holland, Jurgen Klopp, Lionel Messi and more linked to the sport, padel has become aspirational.
It is something people want to try as a way to understand how their favourite footballers use it to help with their mental health – or why their go-to influencer swears by it as the best new form of cardio.
Padel is slowly being integrated into the lives of people, at a rate that not many sports have done.
Many people’s love of sports is generational or from a young age, but padel, with an emphasis on accessibility, has come along and placed itself the ‘it’ sport.
And much of it has to do with the famous faces attached to it.
You may also like: Padel gains recognition by Olympic Council of Asia as official sport of the Asian Games
”It’s a way of connecting. It’s a way of feeling connected. It’s a whole new way of socialising;” says Andi Neugarten-Maio, founder of 6LoveSports. And she’s right.
Padel is becoming one of top choices for professional networking.
Its combination of a physical activity in a relaxed manner is replacing traditional pub setting for work catch-ups, especially in an era hyper focused on fitness and wellbeing.
Appealing to different demographics and ability, a padel court has become one of the go-to places for office catch-ups and socialising.
What was once just a fun sport is now part of the professional landscape and crucial for networking.
And, perhaps the popularity of padel as a lifestyle would not be possible without one thing – social media.
Lending itself well to the clean girl aesthetic of the last few years and embracing a more relaxed, wellbeing look at sport due to its social aspect, padel has taken over social media feeds.
Every other video, this summer, was about people trying padel for the first time or a player’s journey to becoming professional.
The racket sport has become a part of many young people’s lives, with 19% of players being Gen Zers and social media has helped promote it.
Read next: How playing racket sports boosts mental health and fitness
International Padel Federation (FIP) and its continental body, Padel Asia, announced a historic milestone in the development of the sport on Monday: padel has officially been recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and is set to be included as an official sport in the upcoming editions of the Asian Games.
The Council noted that the recognition will further support the growth of padel globally, and particularly across Asia, through its formal inclusion in future Asian games, according to a press release.
The milestone follows padel’s recent inclusion in the European Games 2023, the South American Games 2022 and the upcoming Mediterranean Games 2026, writes Sports News Blitz‘s Shameeka Voyiya.
Luigi Carraro, FIP president, expressed his excitement in a press release, stating: “It is with great enthusiasm and pride that we welcome the news that the OCA has unanimously decided to recognise Padel as an official sport of the Asian Games.
“The timing of this announcement, coinciding with the FIP World Cup Pairs in Kuwait, is perfect — a testament to how padel is increasingly becoming a global sport and a major presence both in Asia and around the world.”
Padel has experienced significant growth in Asia, with now over 4600 courts across 1700 clubs in more than 30 countries.
This has been supported by the establishment of Padel Asia through strengthening governance and accelerating the development of the sport.
“FIP will keep working night and day for the nearly-100 national federations we represent – and all stakeholders in the Padel ecosystem – developing men’s, women’s, youth, amateur and professional Padel in all five corners of the world,” said Carraro.
You may also like: Padel news: Court master Gareth Evans launches padel fashion brand
Dr. Husain A. H. Z. Al-Musallam, who is the Director General at OCA, stated: “[Padel’s] inclusion in the Asian Games reflects our commitment to embracing emerging sports that unite people and embody the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence.”
The inclusion of padel in the Asian Games aims to provide a platform for athletes to showcase their talent on a global sporting stage, and the announcement coincides with the highly anticipated inaugural FIP World Cup Pairs held last week in Kuwait.
The next Asian Game editions are scheduled for 2026, with two major events on the calendar: Asian Beach Games in China (22–30 April 2026), and the Asian Games in Japan (19 September–4 October 2026).
Read next: England hosts its first padel event for deaf and hard of hearing players
Bristol hosted its first padel tournament for deaf and hard of hearing players at Rocket Padel in St Annes on Sunday, the first of its kind approved by the Lawn & Tennis (LTA), highlighting inclusivity spearheaded by this fast growing sport.
The tournament kicked off at Rocket Padel – the largest indoor centre in England – with about 52 participants from around the country, writes Sports News Blitz’s padel journalist Shameeka Voyiya.
Padel is one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, with courts being built across the country at a rapid rate and over 400 000 people participating in the UK alone.
This is a stark rise compared to only 129 000 players at the end of 2023.
“Padel is one of the fastest-growing activities that I have ever seen in my life,” Mark Gill, community development officer at the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (CfD), told the BBC.
“It’s provided an opportunity for deaf people in the deaf community to be role models and to demonstrate [that] there is a thriving world here, there’s a thriving community.”
You may also like: Padel news: Court master Gareth Evans launches padel fashion brand
Growing up, Mr Gill said he had always loved sport, but it was not always easy to get involved.
“There [were] a lot of barriers to communicating with hearing people and that led to a lot of frustrations at school,” he said.
He said he would like for coaches to have mandatory deaf awareness training, so that they can adapt their activities to be more inclusive for deaf people.
Organised after CfD was awarded the government’s Small Communities Grant, the tournament was the first-ever LTA-sanctioned deaf padel tournament where players could get ranking points.
Additionally, the grant money led to the establishment of Bristol Deaf Padel, which launched earlier this year.
Sebastian Cunliffe, organiser of Bristol Deaf Padel, said he said he feels “proud” of the collective that they have built and that their numbers are ever-growing.
“We’ve brought in people that necessarily would not have played sport, but also a diverse mix and all genders,” he said.
Cunliffe said that padel has a “great benefit on mental health and fitness”.
“There’s something about padel. When you play it, you’re just in the moment, engrossed,” he said.
“I’ve also noticed some people that weren’t necessarily involved in the deaf community now regularly come to padel and I can see how much that benefits them.”
Meanwhile, the European Deaf Padel Championship is set to take place in May 2026 to highlight the popularity of the sport in the deaf and hard of hearing world.
Read next: Padel rules explained: A complete beginner’s guide
Gareth Evans’ padel portfolio is one of the most expansive in the UK, and he’s taking things up a notch by launching Vibora, a stylish apparel brand that caters for the sport and its vibrant lifestyle.
Cheshire-based Evans is the founder and CEO of Padel Ventures, which handles all aspects of building a padel venue – from design, planning and court installation to supporting operators after the launch of a padel court, writes Sports News Blitz‘s padel journalist Shameeka Voyiya.
Vibora is the latest branch of Evans’ empire, a clothing brand that features sleek, minimal designs fit to wear while playing the world’s largest growing sport, or just hanging out after a game with friends.
Evans was also one of the partners working on launching the UK’s first ever floating padel club at Liverpool Waters in spring 2026.
He explained how Vibora became a product of the groundbreaking Liverpool Waters project.
“We were discussing the retail offering for Liverpool and started sketching out some of our own designs,” Evans told The Padel Paper.
“Vibora works well as a lifestyle brand, not just padel. It’s an e-commerce play that will appeal to a broader scope, not just boxing ourselves into that padel corner.”
Padel bundle: WIN the Coello 2025 HEAD bundle. Play like a pro for just 95p
Indeed, brands like Prada and Versace have jumped on the padel fashion bandwagon, releasing limited-edition padel products while others like Richard Mille and Dunhill sponsor exclusive tournaments.
Earlier this year, Pulco, which was founded in 2022 by Joe Middleton, former President of Levi’s EMEA and CEO of Canterbury, became the first padel apparel brand to launch at Harrods in Knightsbridge, London.
From monochrome matching sets to technical mesh overlays and sleek silhouettes, padel looks are very editorial.
Players often attend matches in mirrored sunglasses and ensembles that transition seamlessly from the padel court to the clubhouse.
As Prestige Online notes, padel gear doesn’t just impact how the game is played, it influences how the sport feels, who shows up, and how it connects to culture beyond the court.
Read next: Padel rules explained: A complete beginner’s guide
Ahead of the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final this week, Great Britain’s No. 1 player Aimée Gibson and GB No. 3 Tia Norton have shared their top tips to elevate your padel game.
The 2025 FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8 is currently underway and set to conclude on Saturday 25 October in Cadiz, Spain.
This marks the final phase of this year’s Padel Cup, which began in July, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
With a record 37 men’s teams and 31 women’s teams entered this year, the tournament has now been divided into three phases, beginning with Europe’s smaller nations battling it out in Phase 1 (7-10 July).
The top five men’s and top four women’s teams from Phase 1 move on to Phase two, which immediately follows at the same venue in Madrid.
Phase 2 was organised into four groups of four (4×4), playing a round-robin format, which involves every player battling every other participant an equal number of times.
This is a popular format in padel that ensures each player gets to play against each other and with different partners.
Each of the four men’s and women’s group winners will qualify for Phase 3, known as The Final 8.
World No. 1 Aimee Gibson and World No. 3 Tia Norton are set to represent GB at this week’s Final 8, and they shared top tips to improve one’s skills in this fast-growing sport.
Both Gibson and Norton shared excitement to compete with the likes of padel powerhouses Spain and Italy.
“It was amazing for us to qualify, to be amongst Spain and Italy,” said Gibson, according to Sports Gazette.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve all said it will be interesting to see how our level compares to the likes of Spain. Hopefully we can get some wins as well.”
You may also like this: Padel bundle: WIN the Coello 2025 HEAD bundle. Play like a pro for just 95p
Unlike in tennis, padel features glass walls that surround the court where the ball is allowed to hit the back glass after one bounce.
Gibson and Norton emphasised that using the glass is essential to amping up your padel playing skills.
“The glass is your friend,” said Gibson, according to Sports Gazette.
“I would suggest trying to let the ball hit the glass when you’re starting. Even if you miss it, just get used to letting the ball go past you.
“Coming from tennis, I was always trying to volley it or hit it before the glass. But once you get more confidence and you get used to it, it’s easier to deal with.”
Norton agreed: “Try to use the glass as quickly as you can.
“It is really foreign to have something behind you so people tend to neglect it and then get into the habit of hitting everything before the glass.
“I would say just try and use it as fast as possible and get into the habit of doing it. The more you do it, the easier it will become.”
The pros also advised against attempting to overpower your opponent, despite it being tempting.
“My top piece of advice is to not hit the ball as hard as you can,” Gibson said.
“When people step onto a padel court they tend to want to smack it and win the point as fast as possible, like tennis.
“But padel is a little bit more about control and building the point more so that you’re able to finish it. If you hit it too hard the ball’s going to come back easily for your opponent.”
Above all, Norton highlighted the importance of having fun on the padel court.
Speaking at the Pro Am Padel Tour National Final last week, she said: “Have fun! Padel is a really big community sport.
“Like you can see here today, we’ve got pros, we’ve got celebs, we’ve got a big community feel to the environment.
“That’s one of the reasons I started playing – you almost feel like a little family.
“With the padel space growing a lot, there’s lots of new cultures and diversities coming into it. The biggest one is to enjoy it.”
Gibson said the supportive nature of the sport is one of the reasons she looks forward to representing GB at The Final 8 this week.
“The team is so nice, we all support each other, especially on the side,” she said.
Read next: Padel rules explained: A complete beginner’s guide
The United States triumphed over Great Britain in a thrilling finale to the first-ever Anglo American Padel Cup, held at Padel Hub North London, capturing the title with a 53–43 victory.
The groundbreaking international padel tournament featured 64 elite athletes and marked a new chapter in the storied sporting rivalry between the two nations.
The Anglo American Padel Cup has already established itself as the most significant transatlantic padel competition to date, bringing together top-tier talent from both sides of the Atlantic.
Over two action-packed days, players competed across 48 matches, thrilling packed crowds and online audiences with world-class shotmaking and sportsmanship.
Team USA took a commanding 25–15 lead after Day One, but Team Great Britain came roaring back on Day Two.
Early victories from GB’s mixed pairs, Laura Jackson & George Weller, and Alice Keddie & Rafa Vega, narrowed the gap as the hosts surged ahead to a 37–35 lead by mid-afternoon.
With just two matches remaining after 46 fiercely contested battles, the Anglo American Padel Cup hung in the balance.
Team GB needed to win both to claim the title. However, the U.S. veterans Ron Bobman and Tom Bartzen delivered under pressure, defeating Britain’s Sandy Case and Minter Dial in the Men’s 60+ division to secure the Cup for Team USA.
You may also like: TV personality Kem Cetinay takes on 24-hour padel challenge for charity
Even with victory decided, the final match kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Women’s Open No. 2 pairs, Dhany Quevedo and Antonella Santeusanio (USA) versus Alice Keddie and Victoria Nicholas (GB) delivered an unforgettable 7–6, 7–6 duel filled with dazzling rallies and emotional energy.
The crowd’s cheers reflected the shared pride of both nations in a match that perfectly capped off the inaugural competition.
Event founders Bill Ullman, Ben Nichols and Joelle Quinn praised both teams and supporters.
“Our congratulations to Team USA for winning the first-ever Anglo American Padel Cup,” they said.
“This event turned out to be many things an extraordinarily exciting competition, a new chapter in the historic sporting rivalry between the U.S. and Great Britain, and a showcase for the incredible padel talent emerging in both countries.”
They also expressed gratitude to title partners Playtomic and Babolat, whose backing helped bring the event to life.
“Most of all, we thank the players — true pioneers who made this first edition possible. We can’t wait for next year’s Anglo American Padel Cup in the USA.”
Team USA Women’s Co-Captains Ana Magrini and Lisa Teer hailed the event as a turning point for elite international padel competitions, saying: “We are so proud and honored to have represented the U.S. against Great Britain.
“The Anglo American Padel Cup has set a new benchmark for how international padel tournaments should be run. We leave with a trophy and lifelong friendships.”
The success of the Anglo American Padel Cup 2025 cements its place as a cornerstone of the global padel calendar.
With the 2026 edition set to take place in the United States, excitement is already building for what promises to be an even bigger and more competitive sequel in the world’s fastest-growing racket sport.
Read next: Tennis vs padel vs pickleball: What’s the difference between the sports?
We have the America’s Cup, Davis Cup and Ryder Cup – and now, the iconic century-long transatlantic rivalry between Britain and the United States is set to reach new heights this month as the Anglo-American Padel Cup’s inaugural edition begins in North London.
The world’s fastest-growing racket sport is taking a new form as padel now has its own transatlantic team competition, featuring some of the best players from two emerging nations in the sport, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
The inaugural Great Britain vs United States annual Padel competition will debut at the Padel Hub in North London this month, with the US preparing to host in 2026.
The Anglo-American Padel Cup will feature the best players in Britain and America across Open and Age Group Divisions for men and women.
The British and American teams will consist of four players (two teams) per category in both Men’s and Women’s competitions, with a total of 64 players participating during two days of competition between 10 and 11 October.
The Cup will see British padel professionals Rafa Vega and Eloise Tait face their American counterparts in different age groups, with the first team to reach 49 points set to go down in history as the competition’s first ever champions.
You may also like this: Tennis vs padel vs pickleball: What’s the difference between the sports?
British Men’s captain and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) number one Men’s player Rafa Vega expressed his anticipation in a statement, saying: “I am excited to be captaining the Britain’s Men’s team in the Open category of what promises to be a hugely-exciting debut Anglo American Cup.
“To have the opportunity to lead out the British Men’s team against our American counterparts will be a moment of massive pride.”
The Anglo-American Padel Cup organisers hope the competition will carry the same high energy as its golf, tennis and sailing counterparts.
“We wanted to create something that could become an annual competition, that can play on much deeper trans-Atlantic friendships, build on what people know from other sports and do it in padel,” co-founder Ben Nichols told City AM.
“I always say that the US is probably a couple of years behind the UK with padel. It’s well on its way now and growing very fast.
“We wanted to be first in creating this event and something that can cross the pond each year.”
While the America’s Cup and Davis Cup have expanded to include other nations, there is a budding expectation that this will be the case for the Anglo-American Padel Cup as well.
“We wanted to start between these two countries because they’re at similar levels in terms of how advanced they are with the sport,” said Nichols.
“That’s not to say it can’t go wider. Obviously, the Ryder Cup’s gone wider, other competitions have evolved – they’ve got wider concepts of continents against the world. So it could well go that way but I think we wanted to make it manageable in year one.
“There’s definitely room for a discussion of how we can work together. I think the Britain against America thing has legs because of where the countries are in the sport now.
“But a wider continental cup, there’s going to be a lot of top players from different countries that can compete in that, so could there be space for both? Definitely. Could it morph into one? That’s also a possibility.
“I think, for now, we want to grow this, and we’re fully collaborative in terms of others that want to work with us and pull together.”
Read next: ‘Padel Planet’ TV show launch information and players to watch
British radio host Kem Cetinay has announced a gruelling feat – 24 hours playing padel – to raise funds for Capital Weekender’s official charity, Make Some Noise.
The former ‘Love Island’ star will put his limits to the test on 9 October as he rotates opponents for 24 hours – and joining him on the court will be some of his celebrity friends, Capital Weekender presenters and special guests as his opponents.
Cetinay has taken on the padel challenge to raise funds for Capital’s official charity, Make Some Noise, an organisation funding vital projects by small charities across the UK that tackle issues including mental health, poverty and homelessness.
Padel has grown rapidly across the country, with six of the top 10 revenue-generating padel clubs worldwide now located in the UK, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
“I love padel and I’ve played some long games before, but nothing like this! 24 hours on the padel court is going to be brutal! No doubt my arms and legs will be aching, but I’m so ready to push myself to the absolute limit,” Cetinay told Charity Today.
Cetinay, who has been vocal about his passion for the sport, has spent the last two years playing and attempting to master padel.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Padel news: ‘Padel Planet’ TV show launch information and players to watch
An average padel match lasts an hour and a half, with the duration usually dependent on factors such as the players’ skill level and the match setup.
The sport is fast-paced because it employs a short scoring style (best of three sets, with each set consisting of six games).
Because a padel marathon may not be the standard (or recommended) experience for many, Cetinay will require significant preparation, endurance and recovery to complete the upcoming feat.
“I have been training and getting a feel for what is ahead, and I already know it’s going to be tough,” Cetinay said.
“But if it means raising money for the incredible projects that Global’s Make Some Noise supports, then every rally, every hour, and every blister will be completely worth it! I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got.”
During the Capital Breakfast show, he revealed that the longest he has ever played was three hours, and that the original plan was a 12-hour stint until he and his team decided to double the period.
The Capital presenter is set to begin the challenge in London during Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby on Thursday, 9 October, and will put down his racket 24 hours later on Friday, 10 October.
READ NEXT: Injury risks in padel: What players need to know