🎾 Navarro & Sanz Stun Lebrón-Stupa to Set Up Blockbuster Semifinal at FIP World Cup Pairs
Padel Weekly: When Guitars Meet Glory 🎸
From stunning upsets in Kuwait to padel's Asian explosion, this week delivered the drama and growth that makes our sport irresistible.
Big Developments
🎸 Navarro & Sanz Pull Off Stunning Upset, Eliminate World No. 3 Pair
Paquito Navarro and Jon Sanz delivered the shock of the FIP World Cup Pairs, defeating powerhouse duo Juan Lebrón and Franco Stupa 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in a thrilling two-hour-and-26-minute quarterfinal battle in Kuwait. The Spanish pair survived six break points in a crucial ninth game of the deciding set, with Sanz later reflecting: "At some moments, I didn't manage the game very well... It gave us energy, especially to me, while Paco was playing great." The victory was celebrated with their signature guitar celebration, as both players played air guitar on court while the crowd chanted "Paquito is on fire."
Why it matters: This upset completely reshuffles the tournament dynamics and sets up a blockbuster semifinal rematch against world No. 2 pair Galán-Chingotto—the exact same final pairing from last week's Egypt P2 tournament. Lebrón and Stupa's early exit opens the door for other pairs to claim a major title, while Navarro proves he remains one of padel's biggest crowd-drawing stars despite ranking changes. Read more at Mundo Deportivo
🌏 Padel Explodes Across Asia: 2.2 Million Players in 30 Countries
A comprehensive FIP study reveals padel's explosive growth across Asia, with 2.2 million active players now spread across 30 countries in the region. The data represents a massive expansion from just a handful of Asian markets playing padel a few years ago, demonstrating the sport's rapid globalization beyond its traditional European and Latin American strongholds.
Why it matters: These numbers position Asia as padel's next major growth frontier, potentially rivaling established markets in player volume within the next decade. For equipment manufacturers, tournament organizers, and facility developers, this represents a massive untapped market worth billions in potential revenue. The geographic spread across 30 countries also suggests padel's growth isn't concentrated in just one or two wealthy nations, but represents genuine grassroots adoption across diverse Asian economies and cultures. Read more at Times Now
Insights
Chingotto's Championship Mindset Revealed
Fede Chingotto opened up about his World Cup ambitions, stating: "It's the same excitement, the same passion as the World Cup by teams, Ale and I becoming world champions would be incredible!" The world No. 2's comments provide rare insight into the mental preparation and emotional stakes driving elite players in major championships.
Why it matters: Chingotto's emphasis on matching team World Cup intensity reveals how top pairs are treating this individual format with equal seriousness—a shift that could elevate the prestige and competitive level of pairs championships. His partnership with Galán has been the most consistent on tour this year, and this psychological approach explains their sustained success across different tournament formats and pressure situations. Read more at Padel FIP
Quick Hits
• Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria continue their dominant run, advancing smoothly in the FIP World Cup Pairs while maintaining their status as the women's team to beat. Read more at Padel FIP
• Padel Haus launches rooftop courts in Brooklyn's Williamsburg with "unbeatable views," taking the sport to new heights in urban America. Read more at New York Business Journal
• Babolat unveils Juan Lebrón's complete 2026 signature collection during the Kuwait tournament, showcasing the commercial power of top players in driving equipment sales. Read more at Padel Addict
Community Updates
Ireland's Padel Boom Gets Major Boost
Limerick is set to host the Hiscox Padel Irish Open at Ireland's largest indoor padel facility, marking a significant milestone for the sport's expansion in the region and drawing international attention to the country's growing padel scene. Read more at Sport for Business
That's a wrap on this week's padel action! From guitar celebrations in Kuwait to explosive Asian growth, our sport continues to surprise and delight. See you on the courts! 🎾