World-renowned actress, director, entrepreneur, and activist Eva Longoria is the latest big-name celebrity to join the growing global padel craze with the announcement that she is now the proud co-owner of a padel team that will compete in the revolutionary new Hexagon Cup next January 31 – February 4 in Madrid.
“I am so proud to launch my own padel team in the Hexagon Cup,” Longoria says. “This is a sport I am deeply passionate about and love to play, so I can’t wait to share it on a wider international scale.”
Longoria has chosen to name the venture, ElevenElevenTeamUSA, saying, “Eleven eleven is a special number which holds plenty of meaning for me. It’s known as the angel number and represents trust that the universe will deliver what is needed, at the right time. Along with a strong and competitive approach, this positive mindset is something that I want my team to embody as we head onto the court in the Hexagon Cup and beyond.”
While Longoria says she’s a big fan of the sport who is excited to help amplify and bring it internationally on a professional level, she’s also shown her true business savvy by partnering with renowned U.S. padel professional Dani Homedes, founder of Dara Sports and owner of the Miami-based Wynwood padel club, whose immense experience in the padel world will no doubt prove invaluable to the venture.
Big Names, Big Money, Bold New Approach to the Game
The Hexagon Cup is an innovative new take on pro padel tournaments that is designed to be, “For the Fans. For the Players. For the Game.” The competition will consist of six teams, each made up of six players, divided into three diverse pairs: one male, one female, one junior “next-gen.”
Of the concept itself, Longoria notes, “The event’s inclusive nature, taking the top male, female, and next-gen players to form teams which play together equally for success, was something that really attracted me, and I immediately wanted to get involved.” And she is far from the only international superstar who feels this way.
Tennis legend Andy Murray is backing Team AD/vantage, Barcelona FC soccer player Robert Lewandowski is behind the RL9 team, and even the Rafa Nadal Academy by Richard Mille has formed a squad.
All of which is really no surprise given that all teams will compete for an impressive €1 million in prize money, and the event promises to create an exciting team competition and thrilling experience for fans that can catapult padel into the global sports spotlight like never before.
