Last weekend, a record-setting crowd descended on the recently opened Padel X in downtown Miami to watch hundreds of top U.S. padel players battle it out on the first stop of the 2024 RedPadel Circuit.
Padel X Co-founder Nalle Grinda estimated that over 500 total spectators showed up and summed up the event by saying, “It’s been quite an amazing experience. Especially since we set this up in a couple of weeks. We’re very proud of being – I believe – the largest tournament ever played on U.S. soil.
For all the padel lovers, we’re really proud of having them and hosting them here today, seeing the matches, so we’re very very happy with the first event.”
RedPADEL further noted, “With 77 teams and 156 players competing at the glorious blue courts of Padel X in Miami across three days, the tournament showcased some of padel’s finest players [including]: Alonso (RPR 19.66), Vazquez (RPR 17.80), Maximiliano Rozas (RPR 17.44), Luis Estrada (RPR 17.77), Geronimo Barrios Silva (RPR 16.63) and Simon Castello (RPR 16.37).”
Peter Alonso-Martinez and Juan Manuel Vazquez captured the first RedPADEL Circuit victory of the year in the Men’s (D1), while Riva Mackie and Annica Cooper won the Women’s (D1) contest in a three-set thriller.
Other men’s winners in Miami included: A. Gonzalez – G. Massa (D2), E. Flores – G. Flores (D3), and F. Hourani – S. Esquivel (D4). Meanwhile, other women’s pairings hoisting the trophy at Padel X were: L. Martinez – L. Rouillon (D2), S. Descalzi – C. Baez (D3).
Next Stop (p)ATLanta
The RedPADEL Circuit now moves on to Atlanta for its second stop over the weekend of June 7 – 9, with matches being held both at pATL and a private court known as the Millsap Padel Club. The Atlanta tournament also boasts a very notable prize purse of $25,000.
Thanks in part to the large prize money up for grabs, pATL Co-founder Andrew Herring says, “This has the ability to be one of the best events in the U.S. from a talent perspective. I know there are other events that are close or equivalent to what we’re offering in prize money but I think this is probably one of the biggest purses that’s ever been offered in the U.S. for a padel-focused event. The quality of play is going to be incredibly high and for people that have never been to a padel tournament before, they’re incredibly social.”
Herring also added, “The nice thing about a RedPADEL event, you get the top (players) but it also incentivizes some of the lower (division) players to come out and play and feel like they are a part of something — they also get to win something –- and it creates a special feeling.”
Of the upcoming event, RedPADEL CEO Charles Messow says, “We are beyond excited to bring RedPADEL to Atlanta and introduce this incredible sport to the local community. Andrew and Kevin and the team at pATL are great and are poised to do big things in the region.
Our goal is to not only provide a platform for players to showcase their skills but also to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among all participants. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an intermediate club level player, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
