London scores US/UK Padel Cup first
Anglo American Padel Cup
Padel in the UK has scored another first with news that the inaugural Anglo American Padel Cup is coming to London later this year.
The new tournament – which had been scheduled for May in New York – is now heading to the capital for a two day event from October 10-11th, hosted at Rocket Padel’s soon-to-open new padel centre in Beckton, East London.
Already team captains have been announced: LTA No 1 Rafa Vega will lead the GB men’s squad and GB No 8 Eloise Tait the women’s. Both players are expected to announce their teams in the coming weeks, with the cup being contested across men’s, women’s and mixed in four categories (open, 40s, 50s, and 60s). Two pairs from each country will step up for each category.
Eloise described the cup as a ‘huge moment for British padel’, adding: “Being part of this historic event is an honour. It’s an exciting time for the sport and I can’t wait to work with our US partners to help grow padel on a global scale!”
Rafa expressed equal excitement: “To have the opportunity to lead the British men’s team against our American counterparts at a home club such as Rocket Padel Beckton will be a moment of pride. I’m excited to compete and, together, we will be aiming to secure victory for Britain.”
Event founders Bill Ullman, Ben Nichols and Joelle Quinn believe the cup will build on the ‘rich’ history of sporting competitions between the UK and US, stating: “Following in the vein of the original America’s Cup, Ryder Cup and Davis Cup, the Anglo American Padel Cup will be the latest chapter of this famous sports rivalry.
“We are excited to organise an event that unites cultures, showcases elite talent across generations and writes a fresh page in our shared sporting rivalry and history,” they added.
The tournament has secured the backing of national federations the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which will officiate, and the US Padel Association (USPA).
Tom Murray, LTA Head of Padel, said: “The LTA is proud to support the inaugural Anglo American Cup by providing officials for this landmark tournament. This event marks the beginning of an exciting transatlantic rivalry, reflecting the rapid growth of padel in both Britain and the United States. It presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent of Britain’s male and female players as they compete against their American counterparts while also inspiring future generations to carry this rivalry forward for years to come.”
Scott Colebourne, Chief Executive Officer at the USPA, recognised the cup’s ‘potential importance’ to the growth of padel in the USA and Britain, adding: “We expect the Anglo American Padel Cup to become a permanent fixture of international padel competitions.”
Securing the tournament is a coup for Rocket Padel, which opened the UK’s largest padel centre in Bristol (14 courts) almost two years ago and has since delivered padel centres to Ilford and Battersea. Along with Beckton (five indoor, three outdoor courts), the Swedish company is also opening in Croydon this year.
The brand has become synonymous with top-notch padel facilities and the Beckton venue is set to raise the bar further, with a full-service gym, saunas, cold plunge pools, viewing platform and obligatory bar and cafe.
Seb Gordon, Rocket Padel founder, said: “We’re excited to host the inaugural Anglo American Cup at our newest club, Beckton, later this year. It’s a privilege to welcome top padel talent from both Britain and America. We can’t wait to showcase this incredible tournament to London’s passionate padel fans!”
The Anglo American Padel Cup will be held at Rocket Padel, Beckton, on October 10-11th. More info will follow on ticketing and the potential live streaming of matches. 🎾
