Luigi Carraro, the esteemed President of the International Padel Federation, was seen alongside Tariq Darwish Zainal, the secretary-general of the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation and the tournament director, during the highly anticipated draw ceremony for the 2024 edition of the FIP World Padel Championships, which took place yesterday at the iconic Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.
The draw for the 2024 FIP World Padel Championships revealed an exciting lineup, with defending champions Spain and the celebrated Argentina team, known for their 11 titles, emerging as the frontrunners in their respective men’s group stages. The event, hosted for the second time by the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) after the remarkable success of the 2021 edition, promises to deliver thrilling matches.
Key figures, including International Padel Federation President Luigi Carraro and QTSBF Secretary-General and Tournament Director Tariq Darwish Zainal, witnessed the draw that divided the teams into four competitive groups in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Argentina, a powerhouse in the sport that has participated in all but two finals of the World Championship since its inception in 1992, aims for their coveted 12th men’s title, starting their campaign in Group A against formidable opponents like Belgium, Italy, and the United States.
In Group B, Spain, with a rich history of four championship wins, competes alongside Paraguay, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, all eager to challenge the reigning powerhouse. Group C features France, who clinched the bronze in the 2022 edition, facing off against hosts Qatar, and tough contenders Chile and Uruguay, setup for intense competition among these talented teams.
Group D, dubbed the ‘Group of Death,’ sets the stage for fierce matchups as heavyweights Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Sweden contend for supremacy. Meanwhile, the Qatar team, humbled by the surge in padel’s popularity in their home country, is poised to demonstrate their burgeoning talent on a global scale. Under the guidance of the experienced coaching duo, Pablo Nicolas Sisti and Martin Luciano Bogarin, the squad blends seasoned players with emerging talents including Abdulla Alhijji, Amr Hassan, Rayyan Aljufairi, and Mohammed Abdulla, alongside veterans like Jabor al-Mutawa, Hassan Adel Waly, and Mohammed Saadon al-Kuwari.
Qatar’s group stage kicks off today as they confront Chile on center court. They will face off against the formidable French team in their subsequent match, and conclude the group stage with a critical showdown against Uruguay on October 30. “We are in for a fantastic tournament with 32 teams that will keep us thrilled,” commented FIP President Luigi Carraro after the draw. “It’s true that Spain and Argentina are still the favorites, but it’s also true that over the last two years, the other national teams have grown tremendously, and now they’re all at an amazing level. This will be an incredible edition,” he added, hinting at the fierce competition to come.
The women’s draw presents Spain, the reigning champions and European champions of 2024, leading Group A, which includes strong competitors Germany, Brazil, and Chile. Following a commendable second-place finish in Dubai, Argentina stands as the top seed in Group B, where they are joined by Portugal, the United States, and Egypt. Italy, aiming for yet another podium finish, finds themselves in Group C alongside Sweden, Uruguay, and Japan; while Group D ignites anticipation as four European teams — Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Denmark — vie for advancement to the next stage.
Related Story
