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SA Padel Invitational brings padel's biggest stars to SA shores
South Africa is swinging open the doors to the world of padel with its first-ever South African Padel Invitational, a milestone the organisers say will inspire a new generation of local players.
Announced at an exclusive launch event on July 10 at Wanderers, the invitational will see 12 of the world's top-ranked padel players competing on local courts over five weeks, giving fans rare front-row access to the fast-growing sport.
Mohammed Saloojee, from the SA Padel Invitational organising committee, said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we launch the South African Invitational, for the first time on the African continent.'
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He added that they are bringing Artur Oruelo, Augustin Tapia, and 17-time world champion Fernando 'Bela' Belasteguín, among other superstars.
'This is more than just a tournament; it's a statement that we belong on the world stage.'
Padel, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, with a diverse player base in South Africa.
Sarfraz Bismilla pointed out that it is fantastic that they have got children as young as 14 playing with adults in their late 60s. 'The age group averages about 32, almost evenly split between men and women. It breaks the boundaries we see in other sports.'
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The invitational will run like a mini-world cup, with group stages, nail-biting quarterfinals, and a high-stakes final. Fans can tune in via livestream to put their questions directly to the stars.
Mohammed Majam, also on the organising team, said choosing a venue large enough was a challenge. 'There was no indoor venue that could hold this, so, it's an honour to host it on the sacred grounds of our biggest local facility. This isn't just about sport; it's a weekend festival with DJs, entertainment, and the world's best padel talent.'
Event details: August 15 to 17 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
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