Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2023 | tennis.com.au

The inaugural Australian Padel Open kicks off at Game4Padel Docklands today, with local and international players competing to advance for a chance to play at Melbourne Park on the purpose-built Padel court from Friday.

The largest professional Padel event and first of its kind in Australia, the event features 132 players representing 20 nationalities in competition for international ranking points and a share of the $20,000 prize pool.

“There’s a lot of excitement amongst the playing group – especially the opportunity to compete at Melbourne Park on the purpose-built Padel court at the AO Tennis Club,” Tournament Director and Tennis Australia Head of Game Development Callum Beale said.

“In addition to international ranking points and prize money, players are eager for the opportunity to compete at Melbourne Park and to showcase the sport to fans on site and to those tuning in across the globe.”

With the sport already enjoyed by more than 20 million players* across 90 countries worldwide, the inaugural event comes as the viability and expansion of Padel in Australia enters exciting new territory.

Whilst the sport’s introduction to Australia remains relatively new, there’s already significant uptake in its popularity.

“If we look to countries like Spain where the sport has been popular for a very long time and where Padel courts are as common as tennis courts then we’re able to draw great confidence for the future landscape and projected uptake of it here,” Tennis Australia’s Chief Tennis Officer Tom Larner said.

“Currently, there are 23 courts and six Padel venues across the country, with two venues in Sydney and Perth and one in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast.

“With this comes great opportunity for clubs and private operators to service the growing demand for Padel and the team at Tennis Australia is excited by what’s in store for the future.

“With an estimated 5000 regular players and a strong indication for continued growth, the current positive momentum of the sport means there is increased demand for venues and professional playing opportunities within Australia.

“It’s an exciting and social sport that offers both recreational and professional playing opportunities and is a perfect fit for Aussies who love their sport.”

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The Australian Padel Open will feature two days of qualifying rounds ahead of a 32-player men’s and women’s draw to be played across four days.

Opening rounds start at Game4Padel, Docklands today with quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals to be played at Melbourne Park from Friday 27 January.

The Australian Padel Open is endorsed by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the Australian Padel Federation and is the first leg of the 2023 Australian Padel Tour. Players competing in the Australian Padel Open earn International and Australian Padel ranking points.

Book online, play today: Visit play.tennis.com.au to get out on court and have some fun!