USA Padel and the entire padel community in the USA mourn the loss of Fernando Alarcon and his daughter Sophie Alarcon. Their deaths leave a profound void in the American padel community, one built in no small part by Fernando’s own hands over more than fifteen years.

The Alarcon family’s impact on USA Padel cannot be overstated. Fernando helped build the sport from its earliest days in this country, and Sophie carried that same spirit forward as one of the US National Junior Teams’ brightest rising talents.

USA Padel extends its deepest condolences to their loved ones and extended families, as well as to Fernando and Sophie’s teammates, coaches, and the many players across the country who knew and loved them.

Fernando’s Legacy

Fernando left Argentina to study in the USA, eventually moving to Houston, Texas, and it was there that he became general manager of one of the area’s first padel clubs. He then moved to Miami, where he founded Wynwood, one of Miami’s first padel clubs, and then started Ultra Padel Club, the largest padel club in the USA. His work leaves a lasting impact on many of today’s clubs and operators. He is remembered as a true pioneer of the sport in the United States, a fierce competitor on the National Circuit, holding the country’s number one ranking for eight years, and a career entrepreneur in padel.

Fernando represented the USA across multiple Absolute and Senior World and Padel America Championships, including the 2024 FIP World Cup in Doha, Qatar, competing alongside the national team he had helped shape, and playing against the best in the world from Spain and Argentina. But his impact reached far beyond his own results. He helped form the very first U.S. national junior team in 2013, laying the groundwork for a pipeline of talent that continues to this day, and he inspired countless junior players to pick up a racquet for the first time. Many of the players competing on the USA Padel Circuit today credit Fernando as a mentor who shaped their careers.

“Fernando was a great competitor and champion on the padel court. But for all his successes on the court, he was a superb friend to so many of us off the court as well.  He was very engaged in the lives of others – his family, friends, and even people who had just passing contact with him. His passing leaves the US and international padel community with a big void, but I will always hold dear my interactions with him.” – Larry Pascal. USA Padel Board Member, Long-time teammate of  Fernando’s on many USA National Teams.

Sophie’s Profound Impact

That same spirit was reflected in his daughter. Sophie Alarcon represented the USA on the national team at multiple FIP World Junior Championships and Padel America Championships, most recently earning a place on the Under-18 roster for the 2025 FIP Junior World Cup in Costa Daurada, Spain. She competed with the same dedication her father brought to the court, and she was among the rising talents he so often spoke of nurturing. Both Fernando and Sophie had immense pride in representing the USA and were always amongst the first players to start the USA chants and always supported their teammates loudly and enthusiastically. Sophie was a beloved member of every team she competed on. Her teammates looked up to her as a big sister and saw her as an inspiration to compete at the highest level.

“Sophie had a rare combination of talent and heart. As a coach, you notice the players who compete for themselves and the ones who compete for their team, Sophie was always the second kind. She lifted everyone around her, and she represented this country with a maturity well beyond her years. This is an enormous loss for our junior program and for everyone who had the privilege of playing with her.” Manuel Avina. USA Padel Board Member and US National Junior Teams Delegate.