18,000 padel fans gathered in Milan
18,000 padel fans gathered in the same place for three days: these are not the spectators of a big tournament, but the crowds gathered by the Milan Padel Trend Expofrom January 13 to 15.
During this show dedicated to the latest trends in padel, no less than 2,000 people walked the six tracks set up for the occasion, whether for training courses or racket tests.
In a country where there are now more than 7,000 padel courts and almost a million practitioners, this was the first event in Italy entirely dedicated to this sport.
Internships, trials and international stars
This three-day event, which takes place a stone’s throw from the trendy Citylife district, offers entertainment, shopping, tournaments and conferences around padel. Some 2,000 lucky people had the opportunity to take part in the numerous stages organized by the best international coaches, such as Martin Echegaray, Marcela Ferrari, Maxi Castellote and Gustavo Spector. They were also able to try out the new racket collections, made available by the many major brands present at the show.
This “fair”, at which more than 90 exhibitors were presented, was literally stormed by enthusiasts who were able to meet, see in action and even play with world champions and international pros: Martin Di Nenno, Miguel Yanguas, Gonzalo Rubio, Mati Diaz, Veronica Virseda, Jessica Castello, Lucas Bergamini, Tolito Aguirre, Juan Restivo, Alvaro Montiel and many more.
Stars of football and padel-chair
Former padel football fans were also at the party: Candela, Di Biagio, Maini, Locatelli, Amoruso, Panucci, Adani, Toni, Fiore and Giannichedda. Led by Bobo Vieri and his Italy Padel Tour tournament, they faced off in front of the hundreds of people who filled the stands. The tournament was won by the Toni / Locatelli pair.
The padel-wheelchair was also part of the game, with mixed pairs (one able-bodied player and another in a wheelchair) and representatives from no less than five countries, including the Spaniard Oscar Agea, multiple world champion of padel- armchair.
Many Italian padel stars were present, such as Carolina Orsi (new partner of the Frenchwoman Léa Godallier) and Emily Stellato, bronze medalists at the recent dubai world championship, and many other transalpine champions. Finally, the conference part was also well attended.
After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme fell into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves with his hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.