While last week’s first-ever Hexagon Cup certainly got plenty of attention due to the number of big-name athletes associated with the unique, team-based padel event — including Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and Robert Lewandowski — it may have been acclaimed actress, director, and activist Eva Longoria who stole the show, in more ways than one.
Longoria, who owns the Eleven Eleven Team USA squad that competed in the Hexagon Cup, was in Madrid to cheer on her team over the weekend. She even got to see her Nex-Gen pairing of Alex Chozas and Emilio Chamero make it to the finals, where they ultimately lost to the Robert-Lewandoski-backed team of Enzo Jensen and David Gala.
Of the first-of-its-kind tournament, Longoria said, “[The] Hexagon Cup is an amazing competition. I love the atmosphere it has created that mixes talent, rivalry, camaraderie, inclusivity and equality.
In fact, one of the characteristics I like the most is precisely this desire to strengthen the female figure in the world of sports and to have great women involved in the tournament. That’s why, when I was presented with the opportunity to be part of this tournament, I didn’t hesitate and it was very easy for me to say yes.”
Longoria expressed her belief that padel is a sport with great potential around the world, and predicted a bright future for this innovative tournament, saying, “One of the differentiating factors of this competition lies in its format, highlighting the fact that there are team owners who come from fields beyond padel, such as other sports or art.
This fact allows us to bring this sport to millions of people around the world, thus increasing its popularity. Something similar to what happened in the United States with the arrival of David Beckham in the soccer league.”
According to a statement from tournament organizers, the purpose of the Hexagon Cup was to, “elevate padel to new heights and provide a platform for players to showcase their talents on an international stage. The success of the inaugural tournament in Madrid marks a significant step forward for the sport, capturing the attention of fans and enthusiasts worldwide.”
Enrique Buenaventura, the visionary founder behind the Hexagon Cup, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Our goal with the Hexagon Cup was to create an event which transformed the padel experience for fans, the players and the game. The feedback across the board has been overwhelmingly positive so it’s been a huge success.”
In conclusion, he added, “I’m grateful for the support of our players, team owners, fans, partners, and the entire Hexagon Cup team, who have pulled together to create such an impactful event in the world of padel, and we all now look forward to further building this tournament’s future, together.”
