Premier Padel will begin “strong legal actions” against its own players following the “illegal and unprecedented boycott” of two recent tournaments — but it has made some concessions to their demands.
The recent stand-off between the world pro tour Premier Padel, world governing body FIP and the men’s players’ association, the PPA, saw many of the world’s top 100 male players decline to enter the P2 tournaments in Gijon and Cancun, in protest at what they perceive as unilateral decision making, lack of regulation and conflicts of interest.
In particular, the players felt that changes to the distribution of ranking points and smaller main draw sizes at competitions in 2025 would negatively players outside the world’s top 50.
Reduced main draws for 2025 meant more players have to go through qualifying, which were extended from two to three rounds. However, there were no ranking points on offer for pairs eliminated in the first qualifying round. This means that players in and around the bottom half of the world’s top 100 are in danger of gaining nothing – in fact potentially losing money – by travelling and playing in the events.
On this point, Premier Padel and FIP have made what they call “a major concession”, announcing on Monday night (10 March) that draw sizes at P1 and P2 tournaments will revert to 2024 rules, effective from the Santiago P1 on 22-30 March.
Draw sizes in Premier Padel women’s events, however, will remain unchanged following talks with women’s players’ body the IPPA. In what could be viewed as a ‘reward’ for not boycotting Gijon and Cancun, Premier Padel have increased women’s prize money for P2 tournaments by €10,000 per event. The IPPA will also cover hotel costs for female players during qualification rounds until the end of 2025 to support up-and-coming talent.
However, Premier Padel and FIP also announced legal and disciplinary measures against the players who didn’t play in Gijon and Cancun which, they say, caused “catastrophic financial and reputational damage” to the circuit, promoters, commercial partners and TV rights holders.
Referring to the Long Form Agreement which Premier Padel says mandated players to play in the boycotted P2 tournaments, it said: “Premier Padel will now be initiating robust legal action for all breaches of the legally-binding for all parties and unequivocal Long Form Agreement in place with men’s players (negotiated over more than a year with the PPA) which is the legal basis of the foundation of the entire project.
“In addition, to protect the integrity of the tour and the sport, Premier Padel has also filed a legal submission to FIP for immediate disciplinary procedures to be commenced against players in breach of their fundamental obligations in accordance with the governing rules of the sport.”
Reports suggest that the players who were notably absent in Gijon and Cancun have registered for next week’s Miami P1 (17-23 March), the first ever Premier Padel event in America, and the Santiago P1 (24-30 March).
Premier Padel has also made a “significant” charitable contribution to support the re-build project in Mexico after the devastating hurricane that affected the Mexico Major in Acapulco in 2024 – an event organised by the same promoter as the current Cancun P2 tournament effected by the players’ boycott.
