ABU DHABI, World Padel Tour (WPT), the world’s leading professional padel circuit, Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and property developer Modon have announced Abu Dhabi as the host city for the first-ever Abu Dhabi Padel Master tournament.
The event has drawn 128 of the world’s top-ranked padel players at the Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master from 21st-26th February 2023 at Bab Al Nojoum on Hudayriat Island.
The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master 2023, which will be organised by Global MICE Organisation Limited (GMOL Events) and presented by ADSC in collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, will be the only master category tournament hosted by the World Padel Tour in the Middle East for the next five years.
The announcement was made at a press conference held in the presence of Aref Hamad Al Awani, ADSC Secretary-General; Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi; Saeed Ali Obaid Al Fazari, Strategic Affairs Executive Director at DCT Abu Dhabi; Bill O’Regan, CEO of Modon Properties; and Namir Hourani, Managing Director of GMOL Events. Alex Corretja, Deputy President of the World Padel Tour and former professional tennis champion, delivered a virtual keynote speech highlighting the importance of the World Padel Tour coming to Abu Dhabi.
Al Awani said, “We are delighted to announce Abu Dhabi as the host of the World Padel Tour Master tournament and invite everyone to the UAE’s capital to witness the world’s best players compete on Hudayriat Island, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s ability to host top-notch international sporting events. Padel continues to gain major traction in the UAE with scores of new world-class facilities enhancing grassroots adoption and interest in the sport.”
Al Geziry added, “Padel Tennis has become one of the most sought-after racquet sports events, earning a prestigious place in the international sporting calendar. We are pleased to host 128 of the world’s top male and female players in Abu Dhabi to compete on Hudayriyait Island, and we look forward to welcoming local and international visitors to the UAE’s Capital to enjoy the tournament and what the city has to offer.”
The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master 2023 will be the first Master tournament in the 2023 WPT season and marks one of only a handful of annual Master tournaments held around the world. Abu Dhabi joins Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Marbella, Valladolid, and Madrid as the latest city to host a WPT Master, the most prestigious tournament on the WPT circuit.
Delivering a virtual address, Corretja said, “We are excited to anchor a new Master tournament in Abu Dhabi, which has positioned itself as a world-class destination for leisure and sports entertainment with high-quality facilities and great infrastructure. This will not only be WPT’s first Master tournament of the 2023 season, but it will also be the only Master to be held in the Middle East, leveraging on the major boom the sport continues to witness in the UAE.”
The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master 2023 will take place at Bab Al Nojoum, Abu Dhabi’s luxury campsite on Hudayriyat island, a leading leisure destination by Modon Properties. The island is located on the west coast of Abu Dhabi and has quickly become one of the emirate’s most thrilling sporting destinations. It boasts a range of high-end sporting facilities that add fitness-themed fun to its picturesque surroundings while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
The Modon Abu Dhabi Padel Master 2023 will see 128 top-ranked men and women players compete in the main draw from 21st – 26th February, while the qualification round will occur from 18th-20th February. The Master tournament is WPT’s top category tournament, awarding players with the highest number of ranking points across the entire tour. The Modon Abu Dhabi Master will grant a total prize money of €450,000, the highest amount ever awarded in a WPT tournament.
Source: Emirates News Agency