Just a couple of years ago, Spaniards Pol Alsina and Edu Altimires Ros teamed up to participate in padel events around the globe, particularly on the Asian circuit. Their strong on-court partnership was evident during the men’s final of the FIP Promotion India Padel Open at Benner University in Noida, where they clinched the title by defeating Frenchmen Arthur Hugounenq and Thomas Seux with scores of 6-4, 7-5.
“We are a couple, but only on the court,” Ros remarked after winning the doubles title at India’s first international padel event, which featured over two dozen international participants. In the women’s final, the Spanish duo Ainize Santamaria Landa and Aitana Solan Domenech triumphed over Kotomi Ozawa from Japan and Elisabeth Nogueras Lorenz from Spain with scores of 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
Alsina and Altimires have played padel for nearly 15 years and currently make Indonesia their base. Alsina expressed his admiration for the enthusiasm surrounding the sport in India. “We know each other very well, we’re friends, so we’re enjoying every moment here. I think this is the best event I have participated in. I want to thank all the people who have been cheering for us throughout the tournament,” Alsina said.
Padel, which can be described as a mix of squash and tennis, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. According to the International Padel Federation (FIP), there are over 25 million people playing padel globally, with countries like Spain and Argentina showing a strong interest in the sport.
The FIP Promotion India Padel Open has not only brought padel to the forefront in India but also set the stage for the sport’s growth in the country. The event highlighted the potential for padel to become a mainstream sport, inspiring athletes and fans alike. Tournament director and former tennis player Aditya Khanna believes India is a promising market for padel.
“We have historically done well in doubles in racquet sports. Padel is a skill-based sport, and Indians have the potential to excel in it. Currently, interest is primarily seen in metropolitan areas, as there is a lack of infrastructure in many cities. Right now, activity is concentrated in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, with Mumbai emerging as the hub for padel,” Khanna explained.
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