Docklands’ chance to showcase the padel craze

After only opening at the start of the year, Melbourne’s very first padel courts on Lorimer St have become the selected location for the final leg of the 2022 Australian Padel Tour.

Home to the city’s first paddle tennis club “One Padel”, the two-day tournament on October 8 and 9 will showcase some of Australia’s best padel players as they compete within the Melbourne Classic Australian ranking points tournament.

“We will see interstate players and local Melbourne players come together to not only battle it out for prize money and trophies, but receive national ranking points,” One Padel co-director Jason Gasper said.

“We see this developing into a premier padel tournament and a lead into professional and international tournaments in the near future. We [also] see this as the beginning of a huge series of events to come, especially with summer coming soon.”

Showcased as a sport for all, paddle tennis, or padel, is seen as a social sport that is easier to get a grasp on than tennis. The sport is also a mix between tennis and squash due to the equipment and walled boundaries.

As the tournament approaches, One Padel is highly encouraging everyone to attend or have a go at playing themselves in one of the three categories making up the tournament – Open Mens, B Mens and Open Womens.

A highly anticipated event, the Melbourne Classic tournament is a collective partnership between One Padel, Tennis Australia, Development Victoria and Auspadel.

“For the spectators, it will be an exciting vibe with music, food and drinks available and plenty to keep everyone entertained between matches,” Mr Gasper said.

“The padel courts at Docklands host a unique city backdrop and with the covered courts, the weather won’t deter anyone from having a great time watching what will be a unique and fun event.”

To register: onepadel.com.au/tournament •