Bennett University hosts India's first-ever FIP international padel tournament

Spanish stars shine among top global talent as India conducted its first-ever international padel tournament at Bennett University
Bennett University recently hosted the inaugural edition of FIP Promotion India Padel Open, from November 21 to 24. The event marked India’s first-ever international padel tournament sanctioned by the International Padel Federation (FIP). Conducted at the university’s state-of-the-art padel courts, the event was organised by Padel League Private Limited, a subsidiary of PTL Sports Group, in collaboration with The Times Group.
Vineet Jain, MD Times Group and Chancellor, Bennett University, shared his insights on the rising popularity of padel during the FIP Promotion India Padel Open. He said, “At Bennett University, innovation is our credo. We want our students to excel not just in academia and research but also as leaders in whatever they pursue. Our vision extends beyond academics, fostering sportsmanship and a drive for excellence, staying engaged with the latest global trends, and encouraging students to be cutting-edge in all they do. Our recent expansion in sporting infrastructure at Bennett University, including 10 pickleball courts and two padel courts and hosting a global padel tournament, aligns with this vision and has inspired enthusiastic participation from our student community.”

The Padel Open featured thrilling matches from the start, showcasing the talent of both international and Indian players. Spanish players were particularly dominant in the tournament, with the likes of Ainize Santamaria Landa, Aitana Solan Domenech, Edu Altimires Ros and Pol Alsina dishing out their exceptional skills and tactical prowess. Players from Japan, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Iran also participated in the championships.

Spain sweeps the titles at the finals
The finals were a testament to Spain’s supremacy in the sport. The duo of Ainize Santamaria Landa and Aitana Solan Domenech won 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the first final of the day. Kotomi Ozawa and Elisabeth Nogueras Lorenz bagged a hattrick of games in a closely contested first set to win it 6-3. Landa and Domenech then hit back with a spirited performance to win the second set 6-1 and forced the match into a decider. Continuing with the momentum, Landa and Domenech wrapped up the match quickly to win the inaugural women’s doubles title.

The men’s doubles final was another Spanish masterclass where Arthur Hugounenq and Thomas Seux of France battled Spain’s Pol Alsina and Edu Altimires Ros. The Spaniards had the upper hand from the start, as Alsina-Altimires won the first set 6-4. The French resilience fell short, as Alsina and Altimires also won the second set 7-5 to win the final.
Not only during the men’s and women’s finals, but the entire tournament featured intense rallies and nail-biting contests. The total prize money was 5000 euros with the winners bagging a sum of 500 euros each. By hosting this prestigious event, Bennett University has also paved the way for more such tournaments in the future. As India embraces padel, events like this will only inspire the next generation to dream big, play hard and achieve excellence in this era of new-age sports.