Aged between 8 and 16, they arrive accompanied by parents, older siblings, or – in the case of the older ones – in lively and noisy groups. Regardless of age, the youngsters at Allianz Cloud all share one thing in common: a strong passion for padel, knowing all the rules and protagonists, often much more than the adults accompanying them. The “next gen” of padel has brought life to the spaces around the Milano Premier Padel P1, both inside the venue – where they crowded the stands throughout the week – and in the village surrounding the Allianz, where among food trucks and sponsor stands, young fans have created their territory. In addition to being a space for breaks between matches, where they discuss games and make predictions on results, the area around the gates has also become a privileged place to meet the great champions: from Juan Lebron to Fernando Belasteguin to Paquito Navarro, many big names have indulged in long autograph sessions, selfies, and special hugs with their fans. Staff outside the Allianz report hundreds of kids waiting in line to spend a few minutes with their idols, getting jerseys signed, and even the ubiquitous “jumbo,” extra-large padel balls that fly off the equipment and souvenir boxes and had already become a symbol of the tournament last year.
Participation inside the “temples,” the Central Court and Court 1 just behind it, was equally enthusiastic. Until late hours – as in the case of the epic quarterfinal between Coello/Tapia and Gonzalez/Garrido – the padel “new generation” remained attentive to follow the matches, without succumbing to the inevitable tiredness that appeared on the faces of the youngest. In some cases, they even tried to borrow a pass to get closer to the court and meet the players: “I only need it for 10 minutes, then I’ll give it back to you!” jokes Andrea, 14 years old and a big fan of Lebron and Galan, with one of the Allianz staff. Of course, the ritual of hunting for the ball at the end of the match was never missed, with players thanking their fans by throwing them into the stands and giving them a special souvenir to take home. Then the cheers from the stands, with young voices alternating with the chants of the adults. Or the excitement of the ball boys when in the aisles of the Allianz, they cross paths with players walking to the court, the locker room, or when they leave to return to the hotel. All within an electric atmosphere, where sportsmanship blends with the festive and awe-inspiring mood that warms up even the cold December weather in Milan.