This Friday won’t mark the start of a typical New York sporting weekend. No, as the city prepares for the first true weekend of the Fall, it will welcome back a familiar sporting brand, the US Open. Yet this time, it won’t be Flushing Meadows playing host to the US Open, as it did just one month ago. The US Open that gets set to descend on the Big Apple this weekend will be unfamiliar to most New Yorkers, because it comes in the form of a different racket sport – padel.
The inaugural US Open Padel Championships, which debuts at the flagship club of host sponsor Padel Haus from October 4 – 6, will add a fresh chapter to the storied US Open legacy and mark a key milestone in the growth of what is widely considered the world’s fastest-growing sport.
The US Open Tennis Championships played just 13 miles northeast of Padel Haus Dumbo, have long held a special place in the hearts of sports fans, having been a centerpiece of professional tennis for more than a century (the Championships began in 1881). Similarly, the US Open Golf Championship has been a premier golf competition since 1895. Now, with the introduction of the US Open Padel Championships, the US Open legacy is on the cusp of entering a new chapter in its story.
Padel’s Explosive Growth in the US
While padel remains relatively new to the American sports landscape, 2024 has marked a significant shift for the sport’s prospects in the US, with over 25 new clubs announcing their opening in the first six months of the year, alone. As the sport continues to grow in “America’s padel mecca” of Miami, as well as other hotspots such as Texas, California, and New York, the arrival of the US Open Padel Championships signals the sport’s arrival on a grander stage. The addition of the Pro Padel League (PPL), America’s only professional team league, as the title sponsor, signifies a collaborative effort to grow professional opportunities in the USA.
A Star-Studded Lineup
In keeping with the US Open tradition of showcasing elite talent, the US Open Padel Championships will feature an impressive lineup of both international stars and homegrown talent. Former Grand Slam tennis champion Jared Palmer will headline the tournament, having successfully transitioned from the tennis court, to become a dominant force in padel. He will be joined by Brittany Dubins, a top-ranked Madrid-based women’s star who has been instrumental in growing padel in the US. Rising stars of the American padel scene such as Nico Agritelley, Luis Estrada, Guille Cagigas and Argentine standout Maximilliano Rozas, in addition to players from 13 other countries mark the most diverse field ever for a first-time Open.
Representing the international contingent are Jose Carlos Gaspar Campos of Spain and Venezuela’s Lucielana Perez, both of whom have made significant marks on the global stage. Anna Cortilles, a young powerhouse from Spain – where padel is now the second most popular sport, behind soccer – is also set to challenge for the women’s title, while Juan Manuel Vazquez brings years of experience and skill that will make him one to watch in the men’s draw.
A Historic Moment for Padel in America
As the US Open Padel Championships kicks off in Brooklyn, it’s clear that this isn’t just another tournament—it’s a defining moment for the sport in the US. The event signals the increasing visibility and legitimacy of padel in a country where tennis, golf, and other mainstay American sports such as Football, Baseball, Basketball and Hockey have long dominated.
The first round of competition begins at Padel Haus Dumbo on Friday, October 4th, with matches running throughout the weekend. For more information on the US Open Padel Championships and for information on how to attend, please contact ben@padel22.com or follow the event on US Open Padel Championships’ Instagram channel for live updates.
