This summer’s much-anticipated arrival of Premier Padel in London is going to be a “huge eye-opener” for the British padel-playing public.
That’s according to both current British no.1s, Christian Medina Murphy and Aimee Gibson, who are relishing the opportunity for the UK’s legions of grassroots players to watch and digest world-class padel up close for the first time.
The inaugural Premier Padel P1 London will take place from 3-9 August at an as-yet unannounced venue. Excitingly, it marks the start of a “multi-year agreement between Premier Padel, Saudi Arabian entertainment giants Sela and the LTA, ensuring elite-level padel will remain in the UK annually for many years to come.
‘Awareness of the pro circuit is not so big… yet’
P1 tournaments are the second-highest tier on the Premier Padel circuit below the Majors for the world’s elite men’s and women’s players. Premier Padel sits above the FIP tour, which has Gold, Silver and Bronze level tournaments.
GB men’s no.1 Murphy, winner of four titles on the FIP world circuit and regular competitor in Premier Padel events, says August’s P1 London will start to grow appreciation among Britain’s burgeoning grassroots scene of what top-level padel looks like.
“In the UK now we are in the first step,” Murphy told The Padel Paper. “People here see it as a social sport and something fun to play, but the awareness of the professional circuit is not so big. It’s about getting British public ‘on the boat’ with professional padel.
“The P1 London will show people the level in the professional game. People may think they are good already, but it will show them how much better they can still get!
“Some people might be the best in their local area, but when they see the level in Premier Padel, it’s going to increase their appetite to improve. They will want more court time and more coaching.”
Murphy, currently world no.170, is expected to receive a wildcard at P1 London. The same will apply to GB women’s no.1 Gibson (pictured below), who should return from her current calf injury in plenty of time to take her place on court in front of her home crowd.
‘It’s going to inspire the next generation…’
Aimee too thinks it will be a significant moment when Britain’s padel community sees the world’s best practitioners in action live.
“I don’t think many people in the UK know what elite padel is. When me and Christian step on court at a local club, they’re amazed at how we hit the ball because they’ve not seen it before live.
“For everyone in the UK to see the best in the world up close is going to make a big difference for padel in the UK and is going to inspire the next generation.
“Younger kids watching in real life in London is going to help grow the sport massively. They’ll think, ‘I want that to be me one day.’ It’s going to lead to even greater growth for British padel.”
