The FIP World Padel Championships Qatar 2024 begin today with 16 national teams in both the men’s and women’s categories, competing
for the prestigious title at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.
For the men’s event, all eyes will be on the defending champions Argentina, who are here in Doha with star players including Agustín
Tapia, Federico Chingotto, Franco Stupaczuk, Martín Di Nenno, Leandro Augsburger, who reached the semifinals of the Rotterdam P1; Alex
Chozas, Valentino Libaak and Carlos Daniel Gutierrez.
The Argentine team, who beat the Spanish team after three intense matches between the best players in the world at the last
championships in Dubai, would be very keen to retain the title they have won 11 times out of the 15 times the tournament has been held.
Also in the fray are the Spanish team, the runners-up two years ago. The Spaniards star-studded team includes: Arturo Coello, Alejandro
Galan, Juan Lebron, Francisco Navarro, Alejandro Ruiz, Jorge Nieto, Miguel Yanguas and Jon Sanz.
It is worth nothing that Spain are the only other world champions aside from Argentina, having won the tournament four times.
Other notable teams to watch out for are France, the bronze medalist in Dubai; European runners-up Italy; Portugal (bronze medalists at
the European Championships last July); as well as Brazil, the third-place winner in 2021, among others. Chile, Paraguay, Mexico and Uruguay
are also among the strong contenders, having won third and fourth places between them at the championships on numerous occasions.
For the women’s event, defending champions and current world No. 1, Spain, are still the tournament’s favorites. They are here in Doha
with their star players, including Alejandra Salazar, Gemma Triay, Ariana Sánchez, Paula Josemaría, Beatriz González, Marta Ortega, Claudia
Fernandez and Jessica Castelló.
World No. 2 and runners-up in 2022, Argentina, are also parading Virginia Riera, Aranzazu Osoro, Daiara Valenzuela, Julieta Bidahorria, Maria
Laura Ferreyra, Delfina Brea, Claudia Jensen and Martina Fassio.
Italy is another team to watch out for in Doha. The Italians, who were back-to-back bronze winners in 2021 and 2022, respectively, are in
town with Carolina Orsi, Chiara Pappacena, Giulia Sussarello, Carlotta Casal, Lorena Vano, Giorgia Marchetti, Martina Parmigiani, and Emily
Stellato.
Brazil, France, Mexico, Portugal and Uruguay are also top teams that might upset the apple cart at the six-day tournament, which ends on
November 2.