Mumbai: India’s first-ever padel team clinched the bronze medal at the inaugural Asia Pacific Padel Cup held in Bali, Indonesia, from September 19 to 22. This landmark achievement underscores India’s growing presence in the sport and highlights the team’s dedication and skill.
Competing against five nations, the Indian squad, organized by the Indian Padel Academy, demonstrated their prowess by defeating Malaysia 3-0 in the bronze medal match. This victory placed India behind only the Philippines and Indonesia, showcasing a strong performance in the six-nation tournament, which also included teams from China and Singapore.
Padel, often referred to as padel tennis, is a racket sport that originated in Mexico, played in a smaller enclosed court similar to squash. Matches consist of doubles games with solid, stringless paddles and balls resembling traditional tennis balls, starting with a serve below waist level.
Before the tournament, the Indian team participated in an intensive four-day training camp at the JSW Inspire Institute in Vijayanagar, Karnataka, under the expert guidance of Spanish head coach Victor Perez. The team was supported by coach Imran Yusoof and manager Rithik Sinha, working diligently to prepare for this significant event.
In the bronze medal match, Aryan Goveas and Rahul Motwani set the tone for success with a thrilling win of 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. This was followed by Tulsi Mehta and Vaibhavi Deshmukh, who further solidified India’s lead with a commanding 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory. The final nail in the coffin came from the pairing of Jenai Billimoria and Johan Fernandes, who secured the match with a resounding 6-0, 6-1 win, earning India a well-deserved podium finish.