In this war between titans to become the sheriff of the professional circuit of padel, there is already a winner: the players. They are now at the center of a feud between financial superpowers.

Do not doubt: we will have Miami and Toulouse

Le World Padel Tour is today abused by the players, the International Federation of Padel, the competition which is getting organised, and perhaps even more through its own communication, but the reference professional circuit remains the WPT.

It is true that his communication is scary. Radio silence on the side of the WPT despite our requests for information. If he manages to pass between the drops, there is no doubt that he will congratulate himself on his crisis management.

Because in reality, it seems obvious that the WPT will continue until the end of 2023. Whether it is a suspended circuit is another debate. But Miami will obviously take place. And we will have our first Open du World Padel Tour In Toulouse.

The WPT is now 10 years ahead of the contenders who want to return to the pro circuit and that counts. Even if he almost disappeared in 2018 with the International Padel Tour de Fabrice Pastor, even if the WPT is particularly criticized behind the scenes by the players, the WPT has control over the professional circuit by its seniority in the padel, but also because he seems legally sure of his strength despite the disputes of the PPA and the FIP.

Economic logic will prevail

Finally, and this is the most important: the players may have an interest in continuing the adventure of the World Padel Tour, at least for the next 2 years:

First, because the players will thus be unassailable vis-à-vis the WPT. And they will be able to leave without the fear of being attacked by the WPT. If the FIP announced that the WPT was no longer the official circuit in favor of the FIP/QSI, will this have a real impact in the short term? The WPT has been able to develop without the FIP so far. Why wouldn't he be able to carry on without a few more years?

Then, the WPT is actually in the financial capacity to align itself with the new competing offers. In 2018, this is what she had already done. And there is no doubt that the WPT is preparing a counter-attack for us. And it starts this year with a circuit that has never been so international.

Finally, the WPT could certainly not have waited for the competition to get organized and let this players' frustration grow, but today, what matters is the future: With the help of its new shareholders, the WPT could breathe new life into it. Isn't it too late? Will the players be able to forgive their “abusive behavior” ?

An interest of players to play ALL the competition

Players are not stupid. They know that today they hold a phenomenal power over the outcome reserved for the future of the padel .

How can we imagine that the best players in the world will take part in a circuit that they openly criticize today? It's a good question. But it will be swept away by the economic logic thus demonstrated above, but also and above all by players who simply have no interest in turning away from World Padel Tour.

To turn away from the WPT is to do without an economic superpower in the padel. So possibly, less money in the padel and above all one less competitor. Why would players want one less competitor?

As in 2018 / 2019, we will see players backtracking, avoiding the clash and expressing a few positive words to continue on the WPT at least in 2022 / 2023.

We are only at the very beginning of a long saga which promises many twists and turns!

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.