In July 2022, a new padel event will take place in Paris at the Stade Roland Garros. The agreement between the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and Premier Padel lasts several years.
The Paris Premier Padel Major will showcase the emerging racquet sport, similar in game to tennis but played on a smaller, walled court. Premier Padel is managed by the International Padel Federation and supported by the government sponsored Qatar Sports Investments. The Paris event is the first of its kind in Europe and the second after the Qatar Major as part of the Premier Padel Circuit.
The FFT, which works to develop the sport of padel at all levels throughout France, explained that the new event will offer players 2,000 ranking points and a “record prize money”. Premier Padel plans at least 10 new tournaments in 2022, including four Majors. From 2024, Premier Padel hopes to organize at least 25 tournaments in all categories.
Gilles Moretton, President of the FFT, said: “It is an honor to be the first European country that can offer a major padel tournament to the best players in the world. The FFT is proud to make padel history by organizing the Paris Premier Padel Major at the Stade Roland-Garros together with the FIP and Premier Padel. This will bring a new dimension to padel and increase the enthusiasm of the French for this sport, which the FFT supports through a multi-stage development plan.”
Last September, the Stade Roland-Garros hosted a boxing event for the first time in almost 50 years, as part of the FFT’s plan to make the facility multifunctional. France’s Tony Yoka was at the center of a fight that took place at the Court Philippe Chatrier, Roland-Garros’ main stadium. (Stadium world, 05.04.2022)
