The Throne of Padel. In just a few hours, one after another, in an evening filled with breathtaking matches, six masters of the padel world who have made and continue to make history in the sport. Above all, they are the masters of that Throne with a capital ‘T.’
From 6 PM onwards, the Allianz Cloud will transform into the hall of that throne, when ‘The Six Kings’, the six monarchs, take the stage one after another. Which kings? Here they are. At 6 PM, it will be the turn of the greatest of them all, in his final professional tournament right here in Milan: Fernando ‘Bela’ Belasteguin, who held the undisputed world number one spot for 16 years and is among the most decorated athletes in the history of sports. Partnering with him will be the current world champion with Argentina, the 2005-born Tino Libaak, a prodigy who, at just 19 years old, is already a fixture in the noble ranks of the ‘short racket.’ Tino and Bela, the 13th seeds, will face the highly-rated Deus brothers, a duo that led Portugal to bronze at the World Cup in Qatar last October. Right after Bela’s match, it’s time for Mozart and King Arthur – speaking of Thrones, no nickname could be more fitting – the great dominators Arturo Coello and Agustin Tapia. With 13 titles won this season, 40 consecutive victories, and already mathematically secured as the number one pair in the FIP ranking for 2024, they are the undisputed rulers of the Premier Padel and FIP Throne, the International Padel Federation. Challenging the number one seeds of this Milano Premier Padel will be the Spanish duo Ortega-Sans.
Does it end there? Not a chance. Or rather, the dream continues, as it will then be the turn of Ale Galan – who long reigned on the Throne alongside ‘El Lobo’ Lebron – partnering with Fede Chingotto. Like Libaak, Chingotto also holds the team world title with Argentina and represents the only real ‘opposition’ to Coello and Tapia’s dominance this season. The ‘Chingalan,’ who have won five Premier Padel tournaments this season and are seeded second in the draw, will conclude the evening at the Allianz Cloud with their debut match against Cepero-Benitez.
Get ready, then, for the Night of Kings. The Night of the Throne of Padel.