Draft:The Padel Classic

On 15 and 16 May 2024, The Hurlingham Club in West London will play host to a star-studded Padel Pro-Am and corporate competition, the likes of which hasn’t been staged worldwide before. Headlining the Padel Classic will be former two-time Ashes-winning England Cricket Captain Sir Andrew Strauss, and former South Africa World Cup-winning Rugby Union legend, Bryan Habana, both of whom have recently become avid converts to padel, a sport widely accepted as the fastest-growing worldwide. Founded as a purpose-led event by investment, advisory and marketing group TTB Sport Capital and Laureus Sport for Good, the invite-only Padel Classic will be played over two days of English summer (15th - 16th May 2024) and combine a corporate padel challenge with a high-end networking event. The Padel Classic will feature celebrities, professional players and a select group of corporates and luxury brands vying for honours in a sport that is currently turning heads worldwide. The event is planned as the first of a global rollout of Padel Classic Pro-Am competitions in the years ahead. Charlie Grave, Co-Founder of the Padel Classic, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be creating and staging the first Padel Classic at Hurlingham. With The Hurlingham Club and Laureus Sport for Good alongside us, we can’t think of better partners. “Having been involved in starting and managing the popular annual pre-Wimbledon Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club over the last 26 years, and now with the amazing growth of padel, we feel it’s the perfect time for the Padel Classic to also establish itself in the sporting calendar. “Padel is such an enjoyable, inclusive and engaging sport to play. We believe the opportunity to participate, mingle with and watch the celebrities and pros show us all how it’s done will provide the perfect cocktail for a day of entertainment.” Sir Andrew Strauss, TTB Sport Capital Executive Chair, said: “I am excited to be competing in the inaugural Padel Classic at The Hurlingham Club next summer. In recent years, I’ve become passionate about padel, a sport which, the more people I speak to, the more I realise its huge appeal. As a former professional sportsman who hasn’t lost his competitive spirit, I look forward to going up against my friend and Laureus Academy Member, Bryan Habana for padel honours on the lawns of the Hurlingham next May.” Bryan Habana, Laureus Academy Member, said: “I am delighted to be joining the Padel Classic next summer, and to have the opportunity to play alongside celebrities, professional players and individuals from the corporate sector. Padel is a hugely compelling sport and one that I encourage anyone to get on court and try. My involvement in The Padel Classic will be a great opportunity to get the competitive juices flowing again and, most importantly, to raise funds and awareness for Laureus Sport for Good.” The strictly-by-invitation event will raise funds for Laureus Sport for Good, a global charity that supports programmes and organisations around the world that use the power of sport to help young people overcome violence, discrimination and inequality. In 2022, Laureus Sport for Good supported 304 programmes across 42 countries and territories with funding, training, and other technical assistance. Padel is widely accepted as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and is currently taking the UK by storm. Originally established in Mexico in 1969, it is currently the number two sport in Spain after football and is on a fast upward trajectory throughout much of Europe, Asia and other regions worldwide. The sport is fashionable with celebrities and high net worth individuals ranging from David Beckham to Elle Macpherson, Sir Andy Murray to Serena Williams and Jurgen Klopp to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With the countdown now on for the inaugural Padel Classic, further star names from across the world of professional sport and entertainment will be announced during the coming months.