There were only 40 public padel courts in Great Britain in 2019 — five years later there are more than 500.
Here we take a look at the top players on the Premier Padel tour.
PAPadel is so popular even royals including Prince William and Princess Kate are hooked[/caption]
What is Padel?
This increasingly popular sport is a mix between tennis and squash.
Unlike tennis, in padel surrounding walls can be used, making the game great for doubles and accommodating longer rallies.
It is gaining such popularity that tennis GOAT Novak Djokovic has warned it could steal his sport’s crown.
Fans of the game hope it will be introduced at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Premier Padel Tour
Premier Padel is the official global tour and leading professional circuit in the sport.
Launched in 2022, it has quickly become the most prestigious and lucrative platform for padel players worldwide.
The tour is governed by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and backed by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the same group that owns Paris Saint-Germain football club.
In a significant development for the sport, QSI acquired the World Padel Tour (WPT) in 2023, paving the way for a merger between Premier Padel and the WPT.
This consolidation cleared the way for a cohesive global professional tour under the Premier Padel banner.
The tour features a diverse calendar of events across multiple continents.
It is structured into the following categories of event:
Majors: The most prestigious tournaments, comparable to Grand Slams in tennis.
P1 events: The second tier of tournaments.
P2 events: The third tier of tournaments.
Tour Finals: The season-ending championship event.
One of Premier Padel’s notable achievements has been bringing the sport to iconic venues such as Roland Garros in Paris and the Foro Italico in Rome, elevating the sport’s profile.
The tour offers substantial financial rewards, with majors featuring a prize pool of €525,000 (£437,000), attracting the world’s top players.
AlamyA padel court is typically 20 meters long by 10 meters wide, while a tennis court is 23.77 meters long by 8.23 meters wide for singles and 10.97 meters wide for doubles[/caption]
The four majors in 2025 are scheduled as follows:
Italy Premier Padel — June 17 to 23
France Premier Padel — September 28 to October 6
Qatar Premier Padel — October 28 to November 2
Mexico Premier Padel — November 25 to December 1
Premier Padel has also made significant strides in media coverage, securing broadcast agreements in over 180 countries and reaching more than 150 million households.
In its inaugural year in 2022, the tour’s YouTube channel garnered an impressive 22.7 million views, demonstrating its growing popularity.
Top five Premier Padel players
As of November 14, 2024, here are the top five players on the Premier Padel tour:
World no.1 — Arturo Coello (ESP) — 16,203 points
GettyArturo Coello is the world number one[/caption]
Arturo Coello is a rising star in the world of padel.
The young Spaniard has quickly climbed the rankings with his aggressive playing style and powerful shots.
Known for his exceptional backhand and court coverage, Coello has become one of the most formidable players on the tour.
World no.2 — Agustin Tapia (ARG) — 15,823 points
INTERNATIONAL PADEL FEDERATIONAgustin Tapia is number two in the world[/caption]
Agustin Tapia is an Argentine player renowned for his acrobatic style and creative shot-making.
His ability to generate power and spin, particularly with his forehand, makes him a constant threat on the court.
Tapia’s flair and unpredictability have made him a fan favourite.
World no.3 — Alejandro Galan (ESP) – 12,848 points
GettyAlejandro Galan is the world number three[/caption]
Alejandro Galan is a Spanish player who has consistently been at the top of the padel world.
Known for his all-around game and mental toughness, Galan excels in both offensive and defensive play.
His strategic approach and ability to perform under pressure have earned him numerous titles.
World no.4 — Federico Chingotto (ARG) – 11,257 points
GettyFederico Chingotto is number four in the world[/caption]
Federico Chingotto is an Argentine player recognised for his exceptional volleys and net play.
His quick reflexes and ability to read the game make him a formidable doubles partner.
Chingotto’s consistency and tactical awareness have helped him consistently maintain a high world ranking.
World no.5 — Martin Di Nenno (ARG) – 7,678 points
GettyMartin Di Nenno is the world number five[/caption]
Martin Di Nenno is another talented Argentine player known for his powerful groundstrokes and athletic ability.
His aggressive baseline play and ability to generate winners from difficult positions make him a dangerous opponent.
Di Nenno’s resilience and fighting spirit have helped him overcome early career setbacks to become one of the top players in the world.