RETURNING to full strength after the damage of Storm Ciarán, Island Padel are once again set to host the LTA’s flagship British Padel Tour event this weekend.
Kicking of with the Veteran’s draw tomorrow at 2pm, high-quality padel matches are set to run throughout the weekend, with the finals slated to take place throughout the day on Sunday.
Island Padel co-founder Scott Clayton said: “We are so fortunate to be able to run the LTA Grade 1 again.
“Obviously, we were hit very badly by the storm, so this event is only possible thanks to the support from all the workers that helped with the re-build, our sponsors Rathbones who have been absolutely amazing throughout, and of course, our Island Padel community, which really is like one big family.
“It’s only due to them that we can put on what is set to be the biggest iteration of the biggest padel event across Great Britain.
“The level promises to be really high. We have many of the top ranked UK players coming over compete, along with some top-notch Spanish talent.
“A good number of the players are internationally ranked, one of the players was even ranked inside the top 20 worldwide a few years ago.
“It’s something you don’t want to miss.”
The 40+ and 50+ events are set to commence tomorrow at 2pm, while the main spectacles are due to be kick off early Saturday morning, with Sunday being the finals day.
Having previously hosted the prestigious tournament twice, its popularity has increased with each running.
The inaugural event in 2022 boasted a £4,000 prize fund and was contested by 60 eager players, while 2023 saw the prize fund and number of entries increase by at least 50%.
This year, the Rathbones-sponsored event is offering a whopping £10,000 worth of winnings, which is due to be hotly contested by 109 title aspirants.
Clayton continued: “We really wanted to support the players by putting a lot of prize money in.
“Coming to Jersey is more expensive than getting in a car or on a train to a facility in the UK.
“So it’s really important for us to make them feel welcome and to try to get them here to see the Island.”
The Women’s Open draw promises to showcase the talent of many of the top LTA ranked players alongside the top-seeded young and upcoming Spanish pair.
Both under the age of 21, the tandem of Anna Ortiz Gasco and Valeria Atencia Basilio enter as tournament favourites.
The young Spaniards are ranked just outside of the top 100 International Padel Federation (FIP) World Rankings.
Just behind them are the top FIP ranked Brits in Aimee Gibson (FIP 136) and Tia Norton (FIP 150), who led the Great British team from the front, securing a top ten finish in the European Padel Championships.
UK’s Catherine Rose (FIP 162) teams up with Spanish veteran, Clara Siverio Trujillo (FIP 252) to make the third seeded pairing.
Seeded further down at seven are Guernsey’s Lauren Watson-Steele and Lauren Barker, surely a force to be reckoned with, as the Sarnian pairing are ranked 10th and 13th respectively in the LTA Open Female National Rankings.
The final seed in the Women’s Open draw of 18 teams are the youngest pairing in the whole tournament.
14-year-old Guernsey padel prodigy, Chloe De La Mare (LTA 12), is joining 15-year-old Rosie Quirk who is ranked 129 on the FIP U16 rankings.
The teenage duo are not to be underestimated as they are hot off their Surge Padel Grade 2 tournament win over the more experienced Watson-Steele and Barker – a win that saw De La Mare become the youngest LTA Grade 2 Open Padel tournament winner to date.
Local pair Emma Devenport and Jolien Borrenberghs will have a tough opening match against the number four seeds Helen Crook (FIP =691, LTA 1) and Jo Ward (FIP =691, LTA 6), both past elite tennis players in the UK.
Likewise, local tennis star Natasha Forrest will be entering her maiden padel event with Jersey padel and tennis regular Sonia Smith. They will be facing off against Crooks’ former tennis partner Victoria Davies (FIP 923, LTA 14) and Sarah Lochrie (FIP 695, LTA 2).
Similarly, Caesareans Clare Clarke and Jane Jenkins have joined forces, and will be challenging the sixth seeds, Sophie Cousins (LTA 7) and Angela Wood (LTA 5), in their opening game.
The Open Men’s draw has also attracted exciting local and international talent.
Top seeds Julien Seurin (FIP 161) and 2022 champion Rafael Vega are set to either come up against either Guernsey stalwarts Matthew and Liam De Le Mare, or UK contender Cameron Dollimore (FIP 869, LTA 9) and his partner Fernando Dominguez Cruz after their first round clash.
Meanwhile, 2023 winners and number one UK pair Louie Harris (FIP 492) and Chris Salisbury (FIP 593), have been bumped off the top spot and will be looking to defend their title from second seed position.
They are likely to face top local pair Jon Southern and Bero Bobus (LTA 40+ 5) in the second round.
Seeded third, UK rising star Ethan Bardo (FIP 881) has done well to team up with Martin Pineiro (FIP 178), who, just four years ago, was ranked inside of the World’s top 20.
Island Padel’s own, Scott Clayton, has enlisted the help of Aaran Higgins as they are due to take on the seventh seeded pair George Weller (FIP 869) and Team GB padel representative Ryan Wyatt, this promises to be an explosive match and as the favourite local pair, an upset might well be on the cards.
Alvaro Pecos and Ruben Aguila are making their return to the Island at number four.
Pecos is no stranger to Jersey as he regularly offers his coaching services for budding locals at Island Padel. Most recently the semi-professional Spanish pair took out Clayton/Higgins in a thrilling exhibition match as part of Island Padel’s soft re-opening.
Further down in the seedings, Guernsey are well represented in the promising twins Luke and Cameron Gomez at five, and Olly Cull, with his Spanish partner Pau Minano (FIP 241) at six.
Also of note, JEP’s own Tom Middleton is set to play alongside Peter Ahier as they are drawn against the eighth seeded pair, Craig De Silva (FIP 1023, LTA 40+ 3) and Romain Luquet (LTA 40+ 23), in their opening round.
Island Padel extends the invite to all wishing to spectate the showcase event at their St Clement-based facility.
