GB no.2 Aimee Gibson headed Down Under on a glamorous Olympic mission following last week’s heroics at the London Premier Padel P1.
Just two days after her memorable main draw encounter alongside Catherine Rose at Olympia last Tuesday, Gibson hopped on a plane to Australia, where she will take part in this weekend’s inaugural Padel Invitational presented by UBS at the Sydney Opera House.
Gibson will join padel legends Juan Martín Díaz and Alejandra Salazar, and two-time US Open tennis champion Pat Rafter for the event on a custom-built padel court on the Northern Broadwalk overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Organised by Padel Australia in collaboration with Premier Padel and the International Padel Federation (FIP), the event will be a high-profile platform to showcase padel with a view to the sport being added to the roster for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
The International Olympic Committee has twice delayed the announcement of the sports programme for the Brisbane Games. It is now believed sports will be confirmed in early 2027.
“The event will hopefully help get padel into the Olympics in 2032,” Gibson told The Padel Paper. “We’re showcasing what the sport is to the Australian public with lots of top players and sponsors.”
Australia has been a happy hunting ground for the left-hander after she and Rose won back-to-back FIP Silver titles in Sydney and Melbourne in January 2025.
Joining the 34-year-old Brit on court in Sydney this weekend will be retired Argentinian padel legend Díaz. He is the most decorated right-side player in padel’s history after spending 13 consecutive years as the world No.1.
Spaniard Salazar, meanwhile, continues to compete on the Premier Padel tour in what will be her final professional season.
The most successful player in women’s padel history, she has won 59 career titles and spent four seasons as world No.1 and claimed a record seven FIP World Championships with Spain.
“It is very special to be part of such an important moment for padel in Australia, particularly during my final season as a professional player,” said Salazar.
“Throughout my career, I have seen the sport grow enormously, and being able to play in such an iconic location shows just how far it has come. I hope this event inspires many more people across Australia and the world to discover padel and become part of its future.”
They are joined by former world No.1 Maxi Sánchez, fellow Argentine Martín Di Nenno, plus FIP No.11 and rising Spanish star Pablo García.
The women’s field also features Marina Lobo of Spain and reigning Junior World Champion Mar Munera, one of Spain’s brightest emerging talents.
The Padel Invitational presented by UBS will also feature:
- Celebrity 1 Point Padel, inspired by the hit AO 1 Point Slam
- Professional showcase matches, featuring some of the world’s best players in collaboration with Premier Padel
- Community court sessions, giving local players the chance to experience the spectacular Sydney Opera House padel court
- The Padel Invitational Finals featuring Australia’s leading club competitors
- Live entertainment, food, beverage and partner activations
Fans can also win the opportunity to play alongside Pat Rafter, Casey Dellacqua and top players on the stunning Sydney Opera House court.
