It's the new soap opera that's rocking the planet padel : the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has padel on its agenda, which is not not really to the taste of the International Federation of Padel (FIP).

After the complaint from the FIP, it is now the Players' Association of padel professionals (PPA), via his lawyer Alejandro Villaverde, who sent a letter to the president of the ITF (Dave Haggerty) to express his dissatisfaction.

Translated excerpts.

“A lack of respect for the players”

“We are sending you this urgent letter after being made aware – not by you curiously – of your hostile intentions, as President of the ITF, towards the padel. (…) It's quite amazing that all of a sudden the ITF is looking to take over the governance of our sport – when the ITF has no connection with the management or development of our sport to date. We also find it very curious that you try to do this without trying to collaborate at a single moment with the players, our athletes – the engine of this sport. Such oversight not only shows your willingness to sneak in; but also your lack of respect for the players.”

“The players strongly oppose this attempted takeover by the ITF”

"The padel has suddenly become interesting for the ITF, given its incredible growth over the past few years. However, if you do some research you will see that the padel is proud to be an independent sport for over three decades. Moreover, the padel already has its governing body, the FIP, which has managed the sport for more than 30 years, despite attempts by private companies to replace it. For there to be no doubt, the players strongly oppose any attempt to take over the padel through tennis – which would make padel a second-class sport and which would - quite clearly - only serve to mask the shortcomings and problems that the ITF otherwise encounters.”

“To conclude, we would like to affirm our unconditional support for the FIP as the sole governing body of the padel; and please take note that the PPA will stand on the side of its international federation in any legal matter that may arise from your unlawful and illegitimate attempt to run our beloved sport.”

As you will have understood, professional players do not want a change in governance and they make it known vigorously!

Xan is a fan of padel. But also rugby! And his posts are just as punchy. Physical trainer of several padel, he unearths atypical posts or deals with topical subjects. It also gives you some tips to develop your physique for the padel. Clearly, he imposes his offensive style as on the field of padel !

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