Sheikh Saeed crowns winners of Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master tournament
Winners with Sheikh Saeed and other dignitaries during the awards ceremony.
Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Padel Association, presented the trophies to the winners of the World Padel Tour 2023 Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master season opener during the awards ceremony in Bab Al Nojoum, Hudayriyat Island.
Agustín Tapia/Arturo Coello Manso defeated Alejandro Galan Romo/Juan Lebron Chincoa (7-6 / 6-3) to win the men’s tournament, while Ariana Sanchez Fallada/Paula Josemaría Martín won the women’s title against Alejandra Salazar Bengoechea/Gemma Triay Pons [6-3 / 6-3]. Also honored were Ariana Sanchez Fallada and Arturo Coello Manso, who were named Most Valuable Players in their respective categories.
The sell-out finale provided exciting excitement for some of the world’s best players as they competed on the custom-built beachfront court. The winning duos expressed their joy at having received 2,000 points, the highest point haul of the World Padel Tour so far.
Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Abu Dhabi has cemented its position as the premier host of world-class sporting events. The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master has proven to be a resounding success, not just for the players and spectators but for the entire regional sports industry. It has created invaluable opportunities for the growth and development of padel in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s outstanding sports infrastructure and capabilities.
“The event is a testament to the emirate’s potential as a hub for global sport and we are incredibly proud of the Emirati players who took part and demonstrated the country’s potential as a padel powerhouse. We will continue to support and encourage the growth of the sport in the UAE.”
The meteoric rise of padel as the fastest growing sport in the region is nothing short of remarkable and the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master provided a unique opportunity to capitalize on the sport’s growing popularity and create a platform to engage the padel community and passionate enthusiasts of the UAE to celebrate and appreciate .
Ramon Agenjo, President of the World Padel Tour, said: “The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master was an exceptional event, demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s willingness to host sporting events and our commitment to promoting a vibrant sporting culture in the region. The qualification of Emirati players and the region’s first-ever participation in the main draw of a World Padel Tour tournament marks a significant moment for sport in the Arab world, inspiring young players and promoting greater diversity and inclusion in sport.
“We are proud to have organized this event with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and are delighted to have been part of such a prestigious tournament, bringing together the world’s best players and local talent, and promoting the growth and development of padel in the UAE promoted and the broader Gulf region.”
The electrifying atmosphere of the tournament was fueled by passionate spectators who were a mix of Spanish, Emirati, GCC fans and fans from the rest of the world, lending the games a unique and vibrant transcontinental flavor. The final attendance of 6,000 visitors highlights the rising popularity of padel in the UAE, with more people discovering and enjoying the sport each year.
Namir Hourani, Managing Director of GMOL Events said: “As the exclusive organizer of the World Padel Tour Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master, GMOL Events is proud to have provided players and fans with an unforgettable experience. The tournament was a huge success, attracting a respectable attendance of over 6,000 spectators and featured some of the most impressive performances from padel stars from around the world and we congratulate the winners on a tournament well played.”
The World Padel Tour will continue to South America in March as it embarks on its most international schedule ever for 2023. Abu Dhabi has agreed to host the first Masters tournament on the WPT calendar every year for the next four years and given the success of the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master one can only expect this event to only go from strength to strength.