GB stars Christian Medina Murphy and Abigail Tordoff both lifted titles alongside Spanish partners at last weekend’s LTA Grade 1 R3 Bullpadel Cup in Stratford.
Top seeds Tordoff, the British no.5, and UK-based Spaniard Ainhoa Rico claimed the first LTA Grade 1 title of 2026 without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
In the women’s semi-finals, the duo defeated the third-seeded teenage pairing of Chloe De La Mare and Rosie Quirk 6-3, 6-3. They carried that momentum into the final, where they comfortably overcame the second seeded Brits, Jasmine Dedakia and Laura Jackson 6-0, 6-1.
Tordoff said, “It feels amazing to win this tournament. It has been a really enjoyable weekend, very well ran tournament and brilliant to see so many kids on court at the same time. Personally I am really happy with the way that we played and it’s great to see the level getting better and better.”
Despite losing out in the semi-finals, it was still a successful week for young British pair De La Mare and Quirk, who won the girls’ under-18 draw, dropping just two games in the competition. The pair were the first under 18 girls’ national champions at the inaugural LTA Padel National Championships in December.
On the men’s side, British no.1 Murphy also had an impressive tournament alongside his partner Alberto Garcia Jiminez from Spain. In the final, the pair came up against LTA National Padel Champions and second seeds, Louie Harris and Alex Loughlan, claiming the title 6-4, 6-2.
Speaking after the final, Medina Murphy said: “We are so happy to win the R3 Bullpadel Cup LTA Grade 1. The level of the tournament was really high, and we had to bring our best to every match to make sure that we got the victory. It is great to get the win.”
The competition at Stratford Padel Club was the first of seven LTA Grade 1 events in 2026 to take place across England, Scotland, and the Channel Islands as part of the British Tour.
Co-Tournament Directors, Sam Kemp of R3, and Sam Mole of Stratford Padel Club reflected: “We were really pleased with the level and standard of the entries, and the players did not disappoint over the weekend.
“We’ve managed to bring the top pro players together alongside the juniors which has been brilliant to watch and created a fantastic atmosphere across the weekend. It was a great event, with big crowds and amazing padel. Thank you to all the players, parents and spectators the supported the event and to our wonderful partners for help making it happen!”
