The energy around the first Lisboa Racket Centre Open is already soaring. An incredible 1,300 players have signed up for the event. This sets a new record for international padel tournaments in Portugal. The previous high was 1,142 participants at the Mimosa Open Porto. This year’s tournament runs from this Wednesday through Sunday. It promises to be a massive sporting success.
Top padel stars from around the globe will compete. They will play at the central tennis court in Alvalade, which has been transformed into the Estádio CR7. Among the notable male players are the Portuguese Deus brothers, Miguel and Nuno. They currently rank 37th in the world. Spanish talent Pol Hernández, 44th globally, will also be there. Argentinian players Miguel Lamperti, ranked 90th, and Lucho Capra, 63rd, complete the strong international lineup.
The women’s draw features its own impressive roster. Ana Catarina Nogueira, ranked 37th, stands out as Portugal’s biggest national star. International talent includes Spanish players Lucia MartÃnez, 36th in the world, and Marina Lobo, who holds the 47th spot. Fans can expect fierce competition across all matches.
Tomás Mesquita Guimarães, the competition’s sports director, highlighted the tournament’s purpose. “This event is another step by the Lisboa Racket Centre,” he explained. The club has been famously linked to Cristiano Ronaldo since 2024. Its goal is to “boost and promote padel in Portugal.” It also brings an international event that counts towards world rankings.
Guimarães also spoke about why padel is growing so fast. “It allows any player to compete like a professional,” he noted. “You can face some of the world’s best players, even if you are an amateur athlete.” This unique accessibility makes padel incredibly appealing to many.
The organizers made sure the tournament offers top-notch comfort. Comfortable stands are ready for spectators. There is also a dedicated VIP area for special guests. A partner venue, LX Indoor Padel in Camarate, provides additional courts. They offer seven competition courts, adding to the 13 courts available at the Lisboa Racket Centre.
The tournament begins this Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Matches will also start at 6:00 PM on Thursday and Friday. The action kicks off earlier on Saturday and Sunday, with games starting at 9:00 AM. Fans have plenty of chances to catch the excitement.
