Key Takeaways
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London hosted its first-ever Premier Padel event at Olympia with tickets selling out for the final four days
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British player Christian Medina Murphy secured a notable 6-2, 6-2 win before exiting in the next round
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Event organiser Sela and the LTA aim to support the growth of British padel talent
A milestone for UK padel
London welcomed its first professional padel tournament with the London P1, part of the Premier Padel series. The event marked a significant step in the sport’s expansion in the UK, with eleven British players competing. Olympia’s Centre Court, with 4,000 seats, was packed during the final stages, reflecting the growing popularity of padel across the country.
British talent on display
Christian Medina Murphy gave home fans a reason to cheer with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory alongside Spain’s Alberto Garcia Jimenez. Although he exited in the following round, his performance helped raise the profile of British padel. “The more we can get people coming through, with help from the LTA, that would be brilliant,” said Luke Lloyd-Davies, chief growth officer at Sela.
Organisers’ vision
Sela, the Saudi-based company behind the event, sees London as a key market for padel’s growth. Lloyd-Davies explained: “We’re here, we’re an international business and we want to expand and invest in the sport, so it makes sense to invest in British talent.” He praised the LTA’s collaboration, noting their ambition to grow racket sports and their support in shaping the London P1.
Fan experience and entertainment
Beyond the matches, the tournament offered fans interactive experiences. Spectators could try padel themselves, enjoy music from a Red Bull DJ, and explore stalls selling equipment from leading brands. Family-friendly activities such as face painting and drawing tables added to the lively atmosphere.
The success of the London P1 has encouraged organisers to consider expanding the event further. Lloyd-Davies concluded: “There will be markers in the sand to come out of this, but what I am really focused on is how and where we can take it.” With padel participation in the UK surpassing one million players, the tournament has set the stage for future growth and talent development.
The London P1 proved that padel has found a strong foothold in Britain, combining world-class competition with community engagement and paving the way for the sport’s continued rise.
