London’s hottest new padel club, Rocket Padel Battersea, hosted the biggest and best Pro Am Padel Tour event yet on Friday 27 September on the banks of the Thames.
The Pro Am Padel Tour pairs top British padel professionals with high-profile guests from the worlds of sport and entertainment for a thrilling round-robin tournament.
Nestled against the Thames and under the iconic Battersea Power Station, the event showcased the best in the sport. Led by British stars Aimee Gibson (No. 1), Tia Norton (No. 2), and Louie Harris (No. 3), rising talents Harley Dixon and Elisabeth Velacott and international players like Rafa Vega (Spain).
Joining the action were high-profile names from the sporting world and beyond, including Spencer Matthews (fresh from his Guinness World Record-breaking marathon challenge), England football icons Theo Walcott and Izzy Christiansen; double Olympic gold medallist rower Helen Glover MBE; Team GB BMXer Bethany Shriever; former tennis pro and TV pundit Laura Robson; Love Island royalty and Capital Radio host Kem Cetinay; Made In Chelsea star Tristan Phipps and pro surfer Laura Crane.
Laura Robson and Tia Norton won the women’s pro exhibition tournament whilst Love Island star Kem Cetinay and Alfonso Patacho took the men’s title. Theo Walcott and Helen Glover MBE were awarded MVPs.
Kem Certinay said: “Winning the padel tournament feels amazing! I came down just excited to play, but to win it with Alfonso — I’m buzzing. I’m super competitive, and my strategy was all about keeping my head in the game. When I lose my cool, it all falls apart, so I stayed calm, and it worked. Alfonso and I have become brothers now — movie nights, everything!
“My advice to anyone wanting to play padel is just go for it. You can be any standard and still have a blast. It’s fun, easy to pick up, and an incredible cardio workout. You’ve got to try it!.”
Helen Glover commented: “My first time playing padel, and I just love it. It’s really easy to pick up. Even though I’ve got a pro right beside me, it felt quick to learn and it’s such a fast-paced sport. Within 20 minutes, I felt like I’d had a great workout. It’s perfect when you want to fit something into your day that’s time-sensitive but still gives you that cardio boost. It’s fantastic.”
Spencer Matthews added: “Padel is a bit of me — it’s like a mix of tennis and squash. What I love about it is how inclusive it is. You always play doubles, so it’s super social, and you don’t need to be an amazing tennis player to enjoy it. That’s what makes padel special — anyone can have a great time, and it’s always good vibes.”
Each celebrity winner received a sporty DS-7 Chronograph from the Swiss watch brand Certina, a limited edition NOX racket bag and a NOX backpack.
The Pro Am Padel Tour wasn’t just about the competition. True to its commitment to fostering the next generation of players, the event hosted a Next-Gen Exhibition featuring talented teens like Oxford’s Harley Dixon and Elisabeth Vellacott. These young athletes showcased their skills, giving us a glimpse into the future of the world’s fastest-growing sport.
Social media stars including Ayamé (@ayame.p), Courtney Pruce (@courtneypruce) and Watson Hirschfield (@thatswatson) also took to the court with the pros to showcase their padel skills.
The Pro Am Padel held its maiden tour in 2023, seeing the likes of Chris Robshaw, John Terry, Jos Buttler, Danni Wyatt, Sam Billings, Carly Telford, Michael Vaughan, Bobby Zamora and Aimee Fuller take to padel courts at some of the UK’s leading padel venues.
The tour’s official automotive partner, CUPRA, has been involved in the sport since 2019. Globally, CUPRA has partnerships with several elite organisations including International Padel Federation, CUPRA FIP Tour, and Premier Padel. From grassroots to professional level, the brand is dedicated to shaping the sport’s future with a clear goal to propel the international evolution of padel.
Pro Am Padel Tour’s official watch partner, Certina, showcased their latest range of sports watches including two padel-inspired models: the DS-7 Chrono Padel Edition designed in collaboration with the padel super star Marta Ortega and the DS-7 Auto Chrono – its striking dial features a grid structure reminiscent of the net on a padel court.
Celebrity players were gifted with a range of padel essentials from NOX, including a racket, balls, and keyring, Certina branded balls, along with a £100 Padel Shack voucher and a selection of hydration and nutrition products.
NEO WTR, Europe’s pioneering water brand using 100% Prevented Ocean Plastic™ bottles, kept players hydrated throughout the tournament whilst spectators enjoyed a sumptuous range of hospitality options including bao buns and bubbles.
