For Immediate Release
Brooklyn, New York City [Thursday 3rd October] – Multi-Grand Slam winning tennis champion Jared Palmer is set to embark on a new challenge this Friday, 4 October, as he lines up in the field for the inaugural US Open Padel Championships at Padel Haus Dumbo, New York City – 24 years after winning at Flushing Meadows.
Palmer said that winning the inaugural US Open Padel Championships would rank “up there pretty high” as a personal sporting achievement alongside winning the US Open Mixed Doubles in 2000 and Wimbledon Men’s Doubles in 2001.
“In terms of personal satisfaction, it'd be up there pretty high. I love playing and having played the tennis US Open, it's really cool to be playing a US Open in a different sport. So obviously to do well would be really satisfying”, said Palmer.
The tournament, organized by the United States Padel Association (USPA), will be the fourth and final Major of the 2024 Nox USPA Circuit. Players will compete for a $15,000 prize pool, equally split between the men’s and women’s divisions.
Palmer, alongside his Swedish partner Henry Gill, will be one of 32 teams searching for glory in the first ever US Open Padel Championships. They begin their tournament against the pair of Jemia and Fernandez at 10am EST on Friday.
Padel is a sport traditionally played in a doubles format, something that will suit Palmer’s doubles pedigree. He said: “There's obviously a lot of similarities to tennis, to doubles in tennis and working with your partner, moving together at the net, trying to work together to cover the middle as well as possible. Those sorts of instincts certainly helped me from having played doubles.”
Palmer first started playing padel after moving to Sweden, where he lives with his wife, and like many tennis stars he enjoyed the challenge of a new sport, and he’s seen the sport grow in the US in recent years: “I know there's a lot of us that feel that way and just feel like it's a great sport and has a bright future and a lot of potential in the U.S. as a spectator sport. It's fun to be a part of the first of many U.S. Opens. So, I don't have any expectations, but obviously, I love to compete, and so we'll see what happens.”
Palmer, now aged 53, has represented the US National Team at the FIP Senior World Championships on multiple occasions, but is playing down his chances of triumphing again: “There’s a lot of really, really good players, so I'm not too focused on winning the tournament.”
The first-ever US Open Padel Championships is poised to be a landmark event for the sport in the USA, featuring a feast of international talent – the tournament will boast representation from 15 different nations.
The Pro Padel League (PPL), is the title sponsor of the championships alongside the host sponsor, Padel Haus. Matches will take place at their flagship Dumbo location in Brooklyn, New York City. The combination of PPL, Padel Haus and the USPA will ensure this is a fantastic event for the players and spectators.
For more information on the US Open Padel Championships or how to attend visit USA Padel and follow US Open Padel on Instagram for updates on the tournament.
About the United States Padel Association: The USPA is the national governing body for padel in the USA, as determined by FIP and the APF. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the USPA is dedicated to promoting and developing padel in the United States. Through organizing tournaments, certifying referees, selecting and sending national teams, and fostering player development, the USPA aims to elevate the sport’s profile nationwide and support its members in growing padel at every level.
About Pro Padel League: The Pro Padel League is North America’s premier professional padel league, bringing together world-class athletes and fans to celebrate the fast-growing sport of padel. With its 2024 season distributed to over 300 million households globally, it is one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world.
About Padel Haus
Padel Haus is one of the leading premium padel operators, providing world-class padel-dedicated facilities across multiple locations in the USA. Padel Haus is known for its commitment to excellence, community engagement and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through padel.
Padel Haus is one of the leading premium padel operators, providing world-class padel-dedicated facilities across multiple locations in the USA. Padel Haus is known for its commitment to excellence, community engagement and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle through padel.