Rome is preparing to once again become the nerve center of world padel. From June 8 to 15, the greatest figures in the discipline will set up camp in Foro Italico, an emblematic place of Italian sport, on the occasion of the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel. Fourth edition for this tournament, now a must on the circuit, which continues to grow in size.

A legendary venue for padel

Located in a site steeped in history, the Major of Rome benefits from a unique setting that combines architectural prestige and a lively atmosphere. For Luigi Carraro, president of the International Federation of Padel, there is no doubt that the Eternal City occupies a central place in the development of world padel. Rome will also host the event at least until 2030, thanks to a new partnership signed with automatic extension. A way of engraving Rome in the marble of the calendar.

Sara Errani changes rackets

The announcement surprised and excited: Sara Errani, famous for his tennis record (six titles in the Grand Chelem in doubles, gold medalist at the Paris Games), is taking on a new challenge... in padel. Thanks to a wild card awarded by the organizers, the Italian will play the main tournament with Giulia Dal Pozzo, a young transalpine hopeful. This temporary reconversion is part of a growing trend among former tennis players who are discovering the pleasures of 20x10.

A shower of stars on the Italian capital

On the men's side, the favorites are called Coello and Tapia, dominating this season with several titles to their name. They will meet their runners-up in the ranking on their way: Galan and Chingotto, who shone here in 2024. Other serious contenders: Lebron and Stupaczuk, Yanguas and Nieto, or Navarro and Bergamini, particularly appreciated by the Roman public.

Among the women, the competition promises to be just as tough. Brea and Triay arrive with impressive momentum, but will have to deal with the ambitions of Sanchez and Josemaría, already winners in Rome in the past. Without forgetting Bea González and Claudia Fernández, or Araujo and Ustero, ready to shake up the hierarchy.

A more open edition than ever

Over 240 players will take to the tournament tracks, split between qualifying and main draw. In total, 118 games are scheduled for the week. The organization maintains its mixed format, alongside the men's and women's tournaments.

Other guests include Italian pairs such as Graziotti / Cremona or, Iacovino / Di Giovanni, who will represent the local colors. Some wild cards have also been awarded for the qualifications.

Padel, a sport in full swing

Since the establishment of the Rome Major in 2022, padel has experienced spectacular growth worldwide. The number of players has jumped by 20 to more than 30 million in three years. Europe still concentrates the majority of players, but other continents – notably Latin America and Asia – are seeing their player base grow rapidly. As for the courts, there are now more than 70 000 distributed across 140 countries, proof of a well-underway globalization.

Rome, capital of padel… and much more

To Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation and Padel, the organization of this Major is a logical continuation after the success of the Tennis Internationals: " We have a proven track record of organizing major events. This tournament is a great way to further popularize padel in Italy. ", he says.

Same story on the side of Marco Mezzaroma, head of Sport e Salute, who recalls that padel is today a social phenomenon, beyond the simple sporting framework. Rome, the third city in the world in terms of the number of tracks, therefore stands out as a natural bastion of the discipline.

And the tricolors?

Thomas Leygue and Jesús Moya, registered (pair 34), will be present in Rome. Note that, contrary to what is currently displayed on the FIP website, The Spaniard - ranked 61st in the world - has not changed his nationality : he is therefore not yet French.

Bastien Blanqué and Johan Bergeron will compete in the qualifications as pair n°13, While Dylan Guichard and Antonio Luque appear as the pair 21 of these same qualifications. Here again, Antonio Luque remains Portuguese, which means that it will not be a 100% French pair.

On the feminine side, Alix Collombon and Araceli Martinez are among the 12 first pairs of the tournament. Léa Godallier and Laura Lujan, as for them, will be seed n ° 28 et directly qualified for the main draw.

Carla Touly and Jessica Ginier are currently in first position on the waiting list qualifications. Their presence at the BNL Italy Major should be confirmed after their visit to the FIP Bandol.

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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