Cover Philippine Padel Team athletes Jason Tamayo and Jessica Agra in an exhibition game for FIP RISE Manila (Photo: Philippine Padel Association)
Philippine Padel Team athletes Jason Tamayo and Jessica Agra in an exhibition game for FIP RISE Manila (Photo: Philippine Padel Association)
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With 122 players from 29 countries, FIP RISE Manila puts the Philippines on the global padel map, marking a major milestone for the sport’s growth in Asia
On November 12, Philippine Padel Association president Alenna Dawn Magpantay welcomed players and fans to the first-ever FIP RISE Manila tournament. “We are incredibly proud to launch the first-ever FIP tournament in the Philippines,” Magpantay says. “It marks a significant step forward for padel in our country, bringing us closer to our goal of establishing the Philippines as a competitive force in the international padel community.”
The tournament, held at the Manila Padel Club until November 17, coincides with the club’s third anniversary—a fitting backdrop for the Philippines’ debut on the global padel stage.
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Above Alenna Dawn Magpantay, president of the Philippine Padel Association (Photo: Philippine Padel Association)
Alenna Dawn Magpantay, president of the Philippine Padel Association (Photo: Philippine Padel Association)
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A new era for Philippine padel
Padel was a generally unknown sport in the Philippines until three years ago, when Magpantay and Manila Padel Club founder Fredrik Lonnqvist took a leap of faith. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when outdoor activities were limited, Lonnqvist pitched the idea of introducing padel. With no prior experience in racquet sports, Magpantay agreed.
What started as an experiment quickly grew into a thriving community. The Manila Padel Club became a hub for local tournaments, clinics and social gatherings, nurturing a passion that spread beyond its courts.
“It’s more than just a club. It’s a private community of athletes, enthusiasts, families and friends who have embraced padel as a way of life,” Magpantay said during the opening ceremony.
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Stepping onto the world stage
The stakes at FIP RISE Manila are high. Beyond the international ranking points, the tournament offers Filipino athletes the rare chance to test their mettle against world-class competitors. For players like Jason Tamayo and Jessica Agra, it’s an opportunity to grow.
“This tournament is your stage to shine and to show the world that the Philippines is here, ready to compete at the highest levels,” Magpantay told the players.
The event also underscores the Philippines’ rising presence in the global padel community, as highlighted by the participation of top-ranked players and the support from the International Padel Federation.
A bright future ahead
Magpantay sees this tournament as just the beginning. “The future of padel in the Philippines is bright, and I’m incredibly excited for what’s to come,” she said, her words carrying the weight of a vision that’s only just beginning to unfold.
For now, all eyes are on Manila Padel Club, where the sound of racquets striking balls signals a new chapter in Philippine sports.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
