Glasgow | ITF fails in Padel take-over bid

Padel tennis, one of the world’s fastest growing sports, is at the centre of a skirmish between the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Padel Federation (FIP), the latter of whom filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last week, seeking to stop what it calls a ‘hostile takeover’ of their sport.

The ITF was asked by a number of its member nations to explore the need to support Padel in areas such as developing a global governance framework, international competition infrastructure, and enabling equal opportunities for men and women... While the majority of national tennis associations today voted for this, it was below the 2/3rds threshold that ITF governance rules require. Given the role many national tennis associations are playing in growing Padel, the ITF remains open to seeking to collaborate with stakeholders. ITF Statement

Padel, which is a cross between tennis and squash that is enjoyed by many, including Andy Murray, Jürgen Klopp and thousands of others across the UK, has caught the eye of the ITF, who put forward a proposal to ‘adopt the discipline of Padel’ and assume governance for the discipline at its AGM this week in Glasgow.

This, the ITF claimed, would be similar to what happened with Beach tennis in 2008, but the FIP reacted by filing a case with the CAS, accusing the ITF of breaking the terms of an agreement signed with the FIP in 2019, as well as the Olympic Charter.

The ‘sudden decision of ITF to incorporate Padel under its curtilage thus benefiting from FIP’s efforts and actions over the past 31 years, when the ITF has never invested any resources for the development of the sport of Padel, organised any Padel competition or even attempted to promote the sport, is a parasitic and disloyal behaviour, which goes against good faith, and which, undoubtedly, falls under unfair competition practices’, the filing to the CAS read.

“Furthermore, the parties were still bound by contractual obligations similar to the terms set out in the MOU [Memorandum of Understanding], as implied by their conducts and letters in 2022,” it added.

Invented in Mexico in the 1960s, Padel grew rapidly to become one of the most popular participation sports, particularly in Spain, Sweden, Argentina and Italy, while Britain is catching up fast with over 89,000 active players.

A spokesperson for the ITF said: “Over 100 of the ITF’s national tennis association members already lead or are actively contributing to the development of Padel tennis around the world, and much of the growth of the sport is happening in tennis clubs, given the crossover and ability to share infrastructure, including players, coaches, officials, and facilities.

“As a result, the ITF has been asked by its members to consider how we can support them in the global development of Padel and they will vote on this at our AGM. Should the national associations vote in favour of us playing a role, the ITF would endeavour to progress in collaboration with existing stakeholders, including FIP and other tour organisers.”

Andy Murray is seen here playing Padel, the world's fastest growing sport, at a recent promotion at Westfield White City

There are rival professional tours, and Padel is lobbying for inclusion in the Olympics, which is why the sport has attracted the interest of the ITF.

“Upon including Padel in its scope, the ITF would have the mandate from the ITF members to act as the global governing body with the general objectives of harmonisation of sporting rules, fostering the growth and development of Padel, advancing Padel’s interests and promoting its integrity and reputation,” stated the ITF on the AGM agenda.

An amendment to the ITF’s constitution, however, was needed for the proposal to go ahead, and that required a two-thirds majority, which it failed to attain despite achieving a simple majority.

Of the votes cast, 57.48 per cent were in favour, which were not have enough to be passed.

FIP President Luigi Carraro responded to the vote by calling it ‘a victory for the independence and integrity of sport’.

In a statement on Monday, the ITF said: “Padel is currently one of the fastest growing sports in the world and many national tennis associations are involved in its development within their countries.

“As such, the International Tennis Federation was asked by a number of its member nations to explore the need to support Padel in areas such as developing a global governance framework, international competition infrastructure, and enabling equal opportunities for men and women.

“This work was undertaken and presented to the 2022 ITF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Glasgow today.

“This allowed member associations to take a decision about whether they wished for the ITF to provide them with support to develop Padel on a global basis.

“While the majority of national tennis associations today voted for this, it was below the 2/3rds threshold that ITF governance rules require.

“Given the role many national tennis associations are playing in growing Padel, the ITF remains open to seeking to collaborate with stakeholders.”

Padel has been included on the programme for next year’s European Games and the Olympic Council of Asia has formed a panel to review its potential for Asian Games inclusion.

While tennis is well established as an Olympic sport, and the ITF also governs wheelchair tennis, which is a marquee Paralympic sport, the FIP has yet to receive IOC recognition.

Premier Padel, the FIP’s flagship global tour, is being bankrolled by Qatar Sports Investment, the state-owned company that owns French football club Paris Saint-Germain, and has staged events at iconic tennis venues, including Roland Garros in Paris and Rome’s Foro Italico.