Claudia Fernández and Miguel Yanguas, announced as the franchise signings of Team 10 Padel

04 November 2024

Co-owners Pierre Gasly and Loïc Féry have added 'Mike' and Claudia as franchise players.

Claudia Fernández, ranked number four globally and the youngest player in history to win a professional tournament is transferring to 10 Padel after her first appearance in Hexagon Cup last year.

Miguel Yanguas, ranked number nine globally, will debut for the first time in the Hexagon Cup.

Madrid, 4 November 2024. Team 10 Padel begins its adventure in the Hexagon Cup with great enthusiasm. After announcing its entry into the competition as the eighth and final team, it was time to reveal its first strategic move: the franchise players. The selected players are Claudia Fernández in the women's category and Miguel Yanguas in the men's category. This is another exciting step for the team as they prepare for the upcoming tournament, which will take place at the Madrid Arena from 29 January to 2 February 2025.

Claudia Fernández dazzled the entire padel world a year ago by playing an unforgettable Hexagon Cup at just 17 years old. Her tears, born from the emotion of playing alongside Bea González, are part of the tournament's history. Twelve months later, she is already an established star and joins the 10 Padel with the excitement and responsibility of being one of the team's major cornerstones.

Claudia, recently crowned world champion with Spain, became the youngest player in history to win a professional tournament at just eighteen years, three months, and four days old. “I am very happy and proud to join the 10 Padel to play in the Hexagon Cup. I like the team; it is young and powerful, and it inspires me with great confidence and ambition. From the first moment they contacted me, I felt very comfortable with them, and we all have the same goal: to win the title,” comments the player.

Mike Yanguas, currently ranked number nine in the world. Having missed the inaugural event of the Hexagon Cup, the player from Málaga was very enthusiastic to play in the second edition. The track record of the Spanish player speaks for itself, and he arrives in great form after winning his third title as a professional in Egypt two weeks ago and making his debut in a World Championship where Spain finished in second place. “I am very grateful to join 10 Padel as a franchise player for the Hexagon Cup 2025! I am very motivated, and I hope we can have a great week in Madrid,” comments the world runner-up.

Pierre Gasly, Formula 1 driver and co-owner of 10 Padel, has welcomed their two main players: “We are delighted to welcome Claudia Fernández Sánchez and Mike Yanguas as our first franchise players. With the talent they possess and their dedication, our team is ready to compete fiercely and fight for victory!”.

Loïc Féry, alternative fund manager and co-owner of the team added: "We are very pleased to welcome Claudia and Mike as franchise players within 10 Padel. Both represent the future of the game and both embody the spirit that we wish to instill within the team. The goal of winning the title goes hand in hand with contributing to the sensational atmosphere of the competition. Young, talented and promising, our two franchise players bring the energy, determination, and audacity needed to take on this exciting challenge and delight padel enthusiasts."

Sergio Lewin, Operations and Sporting Managing Director of the tournament states: “Incorporating Yanguas into the competition is further evidence of the high level of the tournament. We have the best in the world, and Miguel is undoubtedly a spectacular player. We are going to have a great time. On the other hand, in Claudia's case, the leap she has made is no surprise to us. She is currently ranked number four in the world and 10 Padel was looking for a signing to provide maximum guarantees. They are both great competitors, and we are eager to see them on the court at the Madrid Arena.”

About the Hexagon Cup

The Hexagon Cup is the event that has revolutionised padle at a global level. Under the motto “For the Fans. For the Players. For the Game”, it offers a unique experience in sports and entertainment comparable to the major global sporting events. Following the great success achieved in 2024, the second edition will be held at the Madrid Arena from 29 January to 2 February 2025.

The tournament features an innovative team format, where the best professional players in the world from eight teams are divided into men's, women's, and Next Gen categories. The teams are led by prominent personalities such as Sergio “Kun” Agüero, Leo Messi, the Taktika Padel group led by Gabriel Pérez & Edu Conde (Krü Padel by Taktika); Eva Longoria, Pepe Bastón & Dani Homedes of Dara Sport (ElevenEleven); the Rafa Nadal Academy (Rafa Nadal Academy Team powered by Richard Mille); Pierre Gasly & Loic Fery (10 Padel); Andy Murray, Arran Yentob & Dani Vallverdu from AD Global Sports (AD/vantage); Robert Lewandowski (RL9 Team); María Esteve & Carlos Lopez-Lay (Team Bella Puerto Rico) and Hexagon Cup FANS (Hexagon Team).