Padel news: First-ever professional tournament proves Northern Ireland is ready for world-class padel
Northern Ireland has underlined its credentials as an emerging destination for professional padel following the successful staging of its first-ever professional tournament last week.
Almost 1,000 spectators attended the FIP Silver R3 Bullpadel Cup – NI Open at Padel54 in Moira, where world-class players from across Europe competed in the highest level of professional padel ever staged on the island of Ireland.
Northern Ireland to host record UK padel field
The strongest player field ever assembled for a UK padel tournament will compete in Northern Ireland this week as the FIP Silver R3 Bullpadel Cup - NI Open gets underway at Padel54 in Moira.
Running from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 July, the tournament marks the first time Northern Ireland has hosted a professional padel event and, by attracting the strongest field ever assembled for a UK tournament, represents the highest level of professional padel yet staged on the island of Ireland.
Part of the official CUPRA FIP Tour sanctioned by the International Padel Federation (FIP), the event has attracted more current and former world top-25 players than any previous UK tournament. Both the men's and women's draws also feature more players ranked inside the world's top 100 than any other tournament previously held in the UK.
Padel news: R3 Sport signs British No.3 Tia Norton, strengthening commitment to women’s padel
R3 Sport has signed British No.3 Tia Norton, marking the next step in the professional career of one of the UK’s leading female padel players and reinforcing R3’s commitment to supporting women’s padel at the highest level.
Norton, who has been competing professionally since 2021, joins R3 as she continues her push on the international circuit, with the long-term ambition of breaking into the world’s top 100.
The partnership will see R3 provide enhanced support across Norton’s professional journey, including athlete management, tournament and travel support, commercial guidance, and increased media and content opportunities.