Tensions are rising in the world of professional padel following a press release fromand the Professional Padel Players Association (PPA) who expresses his dissatisfaction with anomalies identified in the management of competitions of the International Federation of Padel (FIP).

The reasons for the disagreement

The dispute comes following a change of plan of the FIP Platinum of Mexico, where the format of the final table and the distribution of prizes do not correspond to the pre-established guidelines. Contrary to the initial planning which included 28 pairs plus 4 pairs from qualifying, the table will ultimately accommodate 2 wild cards (WC), without there having been any prior explanation.

Furthermore, the prize money distributed does not follow the FIP regulatory scale, thus contravening article 2.13.7 of the FIP Tour technical regulations.

The PPA ultimately denounces a series of failures, including errors in the ranking of players, cancellations of tournaments without notice, late payments, and inappropriate use of athletes' image rights. These incidents are not isolated cases, but reflect a systemic problem requiring, according to some players, governance reform within the FIP.

“Hidden” interests?

If we understand the reasons which motivate the PPA to react, this sudden warning from the PPA nevertheless remains intriguing. Indeed, while it could have chosen to wait until the end of the season to settle its scores with the FIP, the association preferred to act immediately. This decision curiously coincides with rumors suggesting that Premier Padel might be interested in taking over the management of FIP Platinum tournaments. Although this information should still be taken with caution, it could shed new light on the PPA press release.

It is also to be noted that Premier Padel might not be against the idea of ​​increasing the number of tournaments it manages (24 tournaments in 2024). Such a transfer of skills would probably be welcomed with enthusiasm by the players.

The PPA defends its interests

In a proactive approach, the PPA calls on the FIP to work with the players to rectify the situation. She insists on the importance of a secure framework for competitions and strict adherence to the rules put in place. The PPA affirms its determination to protect the careers and rights of its players and assures that it is ready to do everything to resolve this situation, putting some pressure on the International Federation.

The letter concludes with a call for responsibility and action from the FIP, signaling the PPA's commitment to strongly defending the interests of its members. The Board of Directors remains vigilant and awaits concrete answers. What will be the reaction of the federation chaired by Luigi Carraro?

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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