WORLD PADEL TOUR’S HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED SEASON OPENER KICKS OFF WITH THE MODON ABU DHABI MASTER TOMORROW

The highly anticipated Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master kicks off tomorrow in Abu Dhabi with the sport’s top-ranked players competing for major tour points, the most in World Padel Tour history. More than 10000 attendees are expected at the tournament which will be held at Bab Al Nojoum on Hudayriyat Island from February 21-26.

With tickets for the finals already sold out, fans from around the world are gearing up to experience the intensity of padel’s biggest stage which is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with GMOL Events. Modon Properties, the exclusive developer of Hudayriyat Island, is the title sponsor for UAE’s newest international sporting event, while other key gold sponsors from the UAE include McDonald’s and Emirates Post Group. Senior representatives from Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Modon Properties, and Global MICE Organisation Limited (GMOL Events) welcomed some of WPT’s top players at the pre-tournament press conference held yesterday at Bab Al Nojoum.

H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC, said: “The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master is set to raise the bar of UAE’s sports sector and bring sports tourism to new heights. By gathering the best padel players and offering a world-class tournament experience, we are proud to showcase the exciting and growing sport of padel to fans everywhere. The tournament is poised to solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in this arena.”

Bill O'Regan, CEO of Modon Properties, said: “Under the direction of the Abu Dhabi’s wise leadership, we are working to build an active sports community at Hudayriyat Island. Four years ago, the development of the Island beganwith the cycle track and has expanded to host a multitude of Sporting and Leisure facilities.Today we are excited to see how Bab Al Nojoum and Hudayriyat Island have transformed to host international sporting events, providing players and fans with a truly exceptional experience. We look forward to growing Hudayriyat’s offering and to hosting more events that provide the community with an opportunity to engage with the elite athletes and follow that up with their own participation in sport.”

Namir Hourani, Managing Director of GMOL Events, stated: “The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master has been making waves over the last few months, not only for WPT but for padel as a whole. We’re kicking off the WPT 2023 season with four Emirati players competing, two male and two female, making this the first time in history that any Arab team participates in the main draw of a WPT tournament. In addition to this, we will also be witnessing the participation of 16 year old Emirati prodigy, Abdulla Al Abdulla, the youngest male player to ever compete in a WPT master tournament main draw. These are significant accomplishments for the Arab world, and an inspiration for the Arab youth, and particularly, Arab females all over the world. We are expecting a full house at the Abu Dhabi Master, and invite padel enthusiasts from all over the world to come and witness history in the making right here in Abu Dhabi.”

Top padel stars to pair up

With the arrival of a star cast of athletes, Bab Al Nojoum will turn into a padel paradise, and excitement is running high. Both world number-one pairings, Alejandro Galán Romo/Juan Lebrón Chincoa and Alejandra Salazar Bengoechea/Gemma Triay Pons, are anticipated to be lighting up Hudayriyat Island, from a field of 128 elites.

Speaking at the press conference, Francisco Navarro, one of the top players participating at WPT said: “Since I was a child, I have always aspired to make a name for myself in the world of padel. As I sit here today in Abu Dhabi, it is incredible to think that I am now participating in the WPT, a tournament of such high calibre.”.

Alejandra Salazar Bengoechea, added: “Playing in the WPT tournament and staying in Abu Dhabi is a delightful experience for me. Padel has been my passion since I started playing at the age of 8, and I cannot express enough gratitude to the sport for getting me where I am today. I am thrilled about this tournament and all the opportunities it presents.”

History in the making

Several major announcements were added to the already electrifying offering. Sixteen-year-old Emirati prodigy Abdulla Alabdulla will become the youngest male player to compete in a WPT master tournament in the history of the tour. Furthermore, the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master celebrates the participation of the first four Arab Padel Players to represent the region in a World Padel Tour’s Main Draw. Abdulla will be joined by his partner Fares Aljanahi, and Emirati female players Alia Taher and Aisha Alawadhi.

In addition to the prize pot of €250,000, the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master will award the winning teams with 2,000 points, while finalists and semi-finalists will garner 1,200 and 720 points, respectively, the highest number of points awarded in WPT’s history.

Speaking about his padel career highlight, Abdulla Alabdulla, commented: “I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to compete with some of the best padel players in the world. As the youngest male player to compete in the master category, it is an honour to represent my country and showcase the level of talent we have here. I am ready to give it my all and see how far I can go in this tournament.”

Aisha Alawadhi, one of the wild card entrants, said: “I am honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to compete in the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master. This is a dream come true for me, and I am thankful for the chance to display my skills on the global stage. As an Emirati female padel player, I hope to inspire others and prove to the younger community what opportunities are available for athletes in the UAE.”

Padel on the beach

Bab Al Nojoum, Abu Dhabi’s luxury campsite and leading sporting destination located on Hudayriyat Island, is the ideal venue for the tournament as it transforms to host the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master with state-of-the-art padel courts and a 2000 seating capacity center court stadium, further reinforcing the Abu Dhabi as a global sporting destination.

The master tournament held on the island promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans and players alike. The six-day event will feature a world-class tournament and a dedicated fan village, with entertainment, retail, and unique dining opportunities, set upon a backdrop of pristine blue waters. With one centre court and two side courts built right on the beach, spectators will witness the biggest names in padel competing in the only master category tournament hosted by World Padel Tour in the Middle East for the next five years.

Some of the Food and Beverage outlets will include, Sopranos pizzeria, Flat Pizzeria, Knafeh by Omar, Barakat, House of Pops, AcaiXpress, CALI-POKE, Estrella Damm, and specialty coffee house Arabica . Adding to the lively atmosphere of the tournament will be DJ entertainment at the fan village.

The event sponsors include Abu Dhabi property developer Modon Properties; the UAE’s leading diversified postal corporation, Emirates Post Group; global food chain McDonald’s; world-class hospitality brand Hilton; leading Spanish beverage company Estrella Damm; sports equipment company Head; and leading Spanish Padel equipment supplier Bullpadel; among others.

For more information on the World Padel Tour, including ticket sales and the full schedule of events, please visit the tournament’s official website: https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/85949/world-padel-tour-modon-abu-dhabi-master