Formula 1 Stars and Global Athletes Shine at Premier Padel Event

Premier Padel, the official professional padel tour, hosted an impressive gathering of Formula 1 stars and international athletes during a week of open matches at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail in Qatar. This event took place ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 Qatar Grand Prix.

Padel has quickly emerged as a favorite recreational sport within the Formula 1 community. This year’s event featured notable participation from several prominent F1 drivers, including George Russell, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda, Fernando Alonso, and Pierre Gasly. Their involvement underscores the sport’s growing appeal among elite athletes.

Global Athletes Unite for Padel

In addition to the F1 stars, the event attracted a diverse group of global athletes. Among them were Novak Djokovic, ambassador for Qatar Airways, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, and former World Cup-winning footballer Marco Materazzi. Other participants included tennis great Fernando Verdasco, former footballer Adlene Guedioura, and American soccer player Jozy Altidore. Talents from the padel community, such as Dora Chamli, Mashari Nawaf, and Rashed Nawaf, also showcased their skills and enthusiasm for the sport.

This activation was organized in collaboration with Qatar Airways and was hosted by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The event not only highlighted padel’s rising status but also fostered camaraderie among athletes from different sports.

Support from Industry Leaders

The tournament received significant attention from industry leaders. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways, was present during the Sunday matches, while Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, and Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, attended throughout the week to support the participants. Their presence emphasized the growing intersection of F1 and padel.

This exceptional event illustrated the unifying power of sport, with padel serving as a platform for competition, teamwork, and enjoyment. As this dynamic sport continues to gain traction among top athletes, the partnership between Premier Padel and the global sports community reflects an exciting future for padel.