“PADEL has taken a huge step towards making it to the OLYMPICS after a major “historic” announcement. The new kid on the block in the sporting world has been booming and is much-loved in the celebrity world. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is a major fan of padel Credit:”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The new kid on the block in the sporting world has been booming and is much-loved in the celebrity world.
Thank you!
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is a major fan of padelCredit: AFP 
Tom Holland – who plays role such as Spiderman – in action during a padel matchCredit: Getty Football royalty in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are also big fans of the game and now it could be set for a spot at the pinnacle of sport.
Padel has added a team-based competition to it’s game and it is something being heavily backed by superstars Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.
The integration of the Hexagon World Series into the calendar has brought the game under the formality of the FIP [International Padel Federation].
Such a move also has extra weight with the backing of sports agency 54 – who are behind LIV Golf.
President Luigi Carraro told the Daily Mail: “It’s a historic day because this new format of competition will help the International Padel Federation to achieve its dream, the dream of all padel players, men and women of all ages, to become Olympic players.
“When I met with members of the IOC, they said to me, “I saw the Hexagon Cup and I believe the inclusion of the Hexagon Cup within the ecosystem will help you achieve becoming an Olympic sport.
“It’s a team competition composed of both men and women. For the IOC, men and women competing together is very important.
“In padel, we can play men, women, and we can play mixed.
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“The Hexagon Cup, having a team composed of both men and women, is a demonstration of how much padel is a gender-equal sport.’
The hope is to have it included officially at the Olympic games in Brisbane in 2032.
Padel is only growing in popularity as court numbers grow nationwide.
Now the big challenge is getting those who play the game to watch the best in the world compete.
Details of the Hexagon World Series are still under the wraps currently with formats, teams and schedules yet to be announced, but organisers insists it won’t look different to the Hexagon Cup.
Carraro added: “It’s a confirmation of this sport – which involves personalities such as Eva Longoria, Rafa Nadal and Robert Lewandowski, who are already investors – and of how much interest it generates.
“The broadcasters, the media, the big personalities from entertainment and from other sports.
“This is the perfect way to show the IOC and the international sporting community what padel is and what its potential is.”
Some of the biggest celebrity names around the globe are now enthusiasts for the sport.
Pop sensation Shakira joins the likes of Nadal, Messi, Ronaldo, Gerard Butler, Enrique Iglesias and many, many more in raising the popularity of the sport.