French No. 1 Alix Collombon said it a few weeks ago: "We can't afford to have two circuits, or even three [Editor's note: WPT, Premier Padel and A1 Padel]. You need visibility." At the end of March 2023, it must be admitted, the visibility in terms of padel professional looks like the London fog on a chilly autumn evening.

deep unease

Several events have caused trouble in recent weeks. The South American Tour World Padel Tour was marked by theabsence of many players, especially for gentlemen. Some claimed injuries that were not all credible at this early stage of the season, others rather unusual family problems... All of this is a sign that a deep malaise has taken hold in the padel .
Another major event, the decision of the association of professional players (IPPA) of join the circuit Premier Padel, even before the players' contracts with the WPT ended. It is therefore almost all of the players in the world's top 100 who have chosen the FIP circuit and the Qatari company QSI. For the players, already tempted to join the men in the tournaments of Premier Padel, the straw that broke the camel's back may have been the issue of gender equality. After having line up the prize money of ladies on those of gentlemen in 2022, the WPT is rolled back for the 2023 season. A humiliation that remained across many female throats…

The FIP has also chosen its side

Another banana peel on the way to the WPT, the ever-growing appeal of the A1 circuit Padel by Fabrice Pastor, which is attracting more and more players – and in particular some French people. Among the French, precisely, the choice seems clear in favor of the tournaments organized and recognized by the International Federation of padel, to the detriment of those of World Padel Tour. Remember that the classification of the latter is not taken into account in that of the FIP, which has also chosen its side, being financially associated with the circuit Premier Padel...

What options for World Padel Tour ?

Only the French n°1 and 2 Alix Collombon and Léa Godallier continue to this day to compete in the events of the World Padel Tour. But for how long ?
Therefore, what are the options of the Spanish circuit sponsored by Estrella Damm to survive the crisis it is going through?
If the WPT persists in its desire to capture the best players on the planet for its exclusive benefit, it seems inevitable that it will go to ruin.
But does the WPT have any other options than going all the way? rapprochement initiated at the beginning of this year with Premier Padel ?
The latest statements de Nasser Al-Khelaifi leave little doubt about the outcome of the current talks: "The talks with Damm are going very well," the QSI president told Marca.
After the rallying of the players of PPA and that of the players of IPPA, it is clear that the FIP and QSI have all the cards in hand to dictate their conditions to the WPT. If the latter does not quickly seize the merger offer made to him – the content of which is still unknown – he is heading for certain death. Barring a miracle?

Also read our article “Premier Padel will he swallow the WPT?"

After 40 years of tennis, Jérôme falls into the pot of padel in 2018. Since then, he thinks about it every morning while shaving… but never shaves pala in hand! Journalist in Alsace, he has no other ambition than to share his passion with you, whether you speak French, Italian, Spanish or English.

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