The 2022 FIFA World Cup draw, scheduled for Friday in Doha, is not the only sporting event of the week in the Gulf emirate.
Since Monday, takes place there at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, the first Grand Slam of the new official world circuit of the discipline, now known as Premier Padel, financed by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the fund of investment chaired by the president of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.
A new circuit supported and recognized by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the Association of Professional Players (PPA).
Something to revolutionize this still confidential discipline, at least in France.
It must be said that QSI has put the means.
With a record prize pool of €525,000 for this inaugural Grand Slam and its 123 pairs including players from 19 different countries, Qatar wants to be ambitious.
The Premier Padel Tour is based on a new calendar of international and national competitions, including four higher category Majors.
At least 10 tournaments are planned for each of 2022 and 2023, rising to over 25 tournaments per year in 2024.
Read alsoWhy the president of PSG Nasser Al-Khelaifi will invest in padel, a fashionable discipline
The formalization of a date in France is expected.
In the meantime, the TV channels that matter in the world of sport have not hidden their interest.
Unsurprisingly,
beIN SPORTS,
of which Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is president, will exclusively broadcast this new circuit in 37 countries, including France.
Major international broadcaster
ESPN
has also been announced as the tournament's official broadcast partner in Latin America.
Sky
will bring the tournament to Italy, the UK and Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
SuperSport
will also broadcast the Ooredoo Qatar Major in 54 territories in sub-Saharan Africa.
This little sister of tennis comes out of her confidentiality.
The International Padel Federation (FIP), had thus announced, a month ago, the creation of a new international circuit, financed by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).
A revolution in this racket sport combining tennis and squash.
A discipline from South American countries and Spain disputed on a shortened tennis court of a few meters (20 m by 10 m), with plexiglass walls and grids on the sides.
QSI landed in a discipline shaken by internal tensions.
Read alsoWhen padel, a fashionable discipline, comes to Roland-Garros
Until now, the best players in the world were linked until the end of 2023 to a private Super League, called World Padel Tour and financed by the Estrella Damm beer brand.
A closed league, where the best receive very little income.
The contract binding the best players on the planet to the WPT obliges them to participate in all the tournaments it organizes, under penalty of financial sanction (estimated between 300,000 to 500,000 euros in fines).
Last October, the best players on the planet decided to take control of their rights and their future with the Professional Padel Association (PPA), chaired by world number one, Alejandro Gálan.
Together with the International Federation, they have thus filed a historic complaint with the European Commission to cancel their current contracts.
Never before,