Key Takeaways
- Dubai hosts its 4th CUPRA FIP Tour event of the season at the World Padel Academy with players representing over 30 countries.
- Pablo Vicente and Nacho Archieri headline the 32-pair men’s main draw following their run to the FIP Silver final in Bangkok.
- Rebeca Lopez and Nika Sluzhiteleva lead the women’s tournament ahead of finals scheduled for Sunday.
Global padel talent converges on the United Arab Emirates
The CUPRA FIP Tour has touched down in the United Arab Emirates for its 4th event of the season, marking a return to Dubai for the FIP Bronze Damac. Main-draw action gets under way on Thursday at the World Padel Academy, featuring competitors traveling from more than 30 nations worldwide.
Middle Eastern padel is prominently represented, with athletes arriving from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran. The international entry also includes European representation from Italy, Great Britain, Spain and Finland, as well as competitors from North America, South America and Southeast Asia.
Top seeds lead 32-pair men’s draw
A total of 32 duos will compete in the men’s main draw. Leading the field are Spain’s Pablo Vicente and Argentina’s Nacho Archieri, who return directly to competition just days after finishing as runners-up at the FIP Silver event in Bangkok.
In the lower half of the draw, Mexican talent Diego Arredondo pairs with Italian Nicolas Zurita. Other primary title contenders include the 3rd-seeded duo of Ronco and Lacamoire, alongside 4th seeds Huete and Muñoz.
Women’s competition and tournament schedule
The women’s draw is headlined by top seeds Rebeca Lopez and Nika Sluzhiteleva. They face stiff competition from the Portuguese tandem of Patricia Ribeiro and Mafalda Marques, who enter as the 2nd seeds, while Martina Minetti and Constança Gorito take the 3rd-seeded position.
Following Thursday’s opening-round encounters, the schedule accelerates quickly. The second round and quarter-finals are both slated for Friday, setting the stage for semi-final showdowns on Saturday before the champions are crowned in Sunday’s finals.
