Just a stroll through the sold-out stands, which will characterize the tournament from Thursday to Sunday, and through the food area and walkways at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is enough to soak in the vibrant atmosphere. With different languages and accents, the scene reflects not only the USA’s passion for padel but also the global presence of the motorola razr Miami Premier Padel P1. On the day of the quarterfinals – with the stands packed – the crowd’s excitement is contagious from the very first morning. Between a coffee, cheers, and chants for the athletes on the court, and a visit to the shops surrounding the “Juan y Bela” court, the enthusiasm is all for the champions who arrive at the Center throughout the morning to prepare for their matches. Selfies, handshakes, and autographs are in abundance, with some fans still in disbelief as the world’s best players walk through the crowd before and after the matches with no barriers, showing surprising availability. Tapia and Coello – the number ones of the tournament – along with Chingotto and Galan, are the most sought-after, but many also approach Nieto, Yanguas, Lebron, and the women, like Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria, Bea Gonzalez, and Gemma Triay, some of the most beloved stars.
“My cousin Lucas took full advantage of it, taking tons of photos”, says Ian, one of the first spectators to arrive on Friday. “We’re both from Miami, and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to come – he continues. My father used to play padel, and that’s how I got into it. It’s an engaging sport, with great pace, and it’s fun to watch and play”. As local padel enthusiasts, both Ian and Lucas have witnessed the steady growth of clubs and courts: “It’s definitely growing, we see it every day, and I have no doubt it will become even more popular across the United States”, Lucas adds. This opinion is also shared by Shannon and Johan, who arrived from Arkansas with their few-month-old son to watch the tournament: “We’re here to cheer for Patty Llaguno, but in general, we’re big fans and we actually run a club back home”, Shannon says. “It’s a sport that’s gaining more and more popularity, not just in Florida, but also where we live, where people are really curious about this new sport and then get excited to play it. It’s a fun, fast, and energetic sport”.
The same energy comes from the kids, some already experienced fans of the sport and its players, who have traveled from afar. That’s the case for Isac and Martin, who came to Miami with their family from Ecuador. “Galan is our idol, then Chingotto and Lebron”, they say in unison. Many fans have come from South America: beyond Ecuador, spectators from Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina are here at the Center. And from Europe as well, with Spain and Italy leading the way, as well as Norway and Poland, like Kuba. “I’m on vacation in Miami; I had planned to watch some NBA games”, he explains. “But I also really enjoy padel, it’s becoming very popular in Poland, and my colleagues and I often organize tournaments. I was here on vacation, planning to watch some NBA games, but when I heard about this tournament, I immediately bought a ticket. I’m sure I’m going to have a great time”. That’s the feeling that you can feel in every corner of the Center, for an event that has already made its mark in the USA and beyond.