Beyond the tactical brilliance and competitive intensity, the 2025 Paris Major (held at Roland-Garros) showed the deeply human elements that make professional padel compelling: moments of exceptional sportsmanship, evolving coaching dynamics, and the growing cultural significance of the sport’s premier events.
My Fair Lady and Lad
Arguably, the tournament’s most remarkable characteristic wasn’t its upsets (although they abounded in the Round of 32), but its displays of fair play that transcended official oversight. I witnessed how players frequently overruled umpires’ calls, prioritising sporting integrity over competitive advantage. It seemed that there were more on-court overrules of the umpire (at the expense of those overruling) than VAR requests. These spontaneous acts of honesty, occurring under intense pressure with ranking points and prize money at stake, demonstrated the sport’s embedded culture of respect and authenticity. Cynically, it might also be that the players aren’t keen on the length of time needed for VAR, especially on a service that in itself doesn’t really have an impact on the point!
Coaches wanted?
One of the benefits of being courtside is that you can watch what’s going on off the court, specifically at the benches (that also get shown at times on TV). The coaching dynamic during matches is particularly fascinating. With only 90 seconds during changeovers, as Spanish men’s national team coach, Juanjo Gutierrez, confided to me in an interview, coaches must instantaneously assess whether players need tactical adjustments or emotional support. This high-pressure decision-making requires reading subtle cues about player psychology and match momentum—a skill set that extends far beyond technical knowledge.
For as long as I’ve been following pro padel, it took this tournament for me to realise that there were only male coaches for both men and women teams. As one reputed coach told me, “[t]here are few, yes, really at the high level because there aren’t many former female tennis players or coaches who have trained at these highest levels, beyond the fact that they also have to earn the players’ trust, which is no easy task. And top coaches usually train both the guys and gals on the tour.” The scarcity of female coaches at the elite level raises questions about mentorship pathways and role model availability for aspiring female athletes and coaches. This disparity contrasts sharply with the sport’s otherwise progressive gender representation in professional competition. Anyone ready?
Changarooney
As you undoubtedly know, padel is game of doubles. It’s very much like a gladiatorial match, inside a glass cage. The relationship, chemistry and complementarity of the duo is on full display. This Paris Major witnessed a slew of upsets in the Round of 32, with 8 (6 men pairs and 2 for the women) of the seeds falling, much earlier and in larger quantity than usual. The immediate aftermath, there were no fewer than the rejigging and creation of 6 new pairings among the men. One celebrated former top padel player commented that in today’s professional padel, no one seems to have any patience, or indeed the tolerance for failure. So-called “projects” of teams last for as long as there is success. At the first sign of a hiccough, the project dissipates and pairings splinter. In the past, it wasn’t uncommon to see pairs last few many years. Of course, there can be injuries and issues, but it seems that the fuse for a padel partnership is on a short wick. It feels as if, like in life, it’s absolutely vital to know how to get through the difficult times. Any couple that hasn’t had its share of tough moments is unlikely to bear the true test of time – a core lesson in resilience and building solid relationships.
Celebs and crowds aplenty
There were a good number of celebrities dotting the stands at Roland-Garros. The biggest stars included the French footballer Zinédine Zidane and French Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly who attended the Finals’ prize giving. Reflecting padel’s growing mainstream appeal, the tournament attracted over 25,000 spectators, establishing new attendance records and demonstrating the sport’s ability to captivate audiences beyond traditional padel strongholds. This celebrity endorsement parallels a global trend where high-profile figures from David Beckham to Lionel Messi have embraced padel, lending credibility and visibility to its rapid international expansion.
Rolling out the Red Carpet at Roland-Garros
At Roland-Garros (BTW named after a brave fallen French colleague in WWI), the ground’s atmosphere of tennis’s traditional refinement with padel’s more relaxed, social character, was a delight to experience. The near-capacity crowd on the Philippe Chatrier centre court for the final was a spectacular spectator experience, and a highly inspirational and instructive (for those with a critical and honest eye) event.
These human elements—sportsmanship, partnership, coaching, celebrity engagement, and authentic emotional expression—ultimately distinguished the Paris Major 2025 as more than a sporting competition, positioning it as a cultural showcase for padel’s values and aspirations in the global sports landscape.
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