Joy, memories & experience in the bank for GB stars at London Premier Padel P1
• 4 minutes read
The lights have dimmed, and the confetti has been swept away... London Premier Padel P1 is over, and British padel is still digesting the enormity and significance of the global circuit's debut arrival on these shores
All left the arena with valuable experience banked and lessons learned on the big stage. Here, we recap the action and reaction following the Brits' performances.
Christian Medina Murphy
GB men's No.1 Medina Murphy and long-term playing partner Alberto Garcia Jimenez of Spain came to London having secured their fourth FIP title together the week before in Alicante.
That confidence was apparent as they put together a sizzling display to defeat Agustin Gutierrez of Argentina and Santino Giuliani Lombardo of Italy 6-2. 6-2 on the opening day of the main draw.
Next up were Argentines Juan Tello and Maximiliano Arce Simo in the round of 32, and although the home favourite went down 6-2, 6-2, Medina Murphy reflected positively.
“There are a lot of things [to take away]," he said. "First of all, I saw a lot of people here on the first days watching the games, supporting me and all the players and I think that is amazing news for UK padel.
“Our level when we won the first round, that is a really, really good performance. We’re really excited to be fighting against the best in the world. Let’s see what comes next!"
Aimee Gibson and Catherine Rose
Handed a tough draw against Russian No.1 Ksenia Sharifova and French No.1 Alix Collombon (both ranked in the world top 40), Gibson and Rose recovered from some early nerves to turn the second set into a thrilling battle on Centre Court.
The first set had slipped by 6-1, but GB's top women's pair then recovered from a break down to send the second into a tiebreak. The rallies were intense and the margins thin, and sadly it went against them 7-5.
After a flurry of tearful hugs from supporters afterwards, Gibson said: "There's a lot of emotions! On such a big stage in front of so many people, you just want to do them proud. We'll try again next year."
LTA Padel Manager, Steve Yeardley, added: "[Their opponents] play quite a fast, aggressive form of padel, but Catherine and Aimee did a superb job. They stayed with them in the second set, and had chances. They've set themselves up for success in future years and this won't be the last time we see them on this stage."
Louie Harris
GB No. 2 Harris' campaign was undoubtedly affected by a last-minute change of partner. Regular sidekick Alex Loughlan was injured so Francisco Jurado Soa stood in.
The Welshman and his new wingman from the UAE drew admiration from the crowd after some power- and skill-laden rallies, but higher-ranked opponents Ruiz Gonzalez and Pineda Cabello (world No.44 and 95 respectively) got the job done 6-3, 6-2.
“Playing in London in front of a home crowd was a really special experience,” said Harris. “The atmosphere was incredible, and I’m proud to have been part of this historic moment.”
Alfonso Patacho & Chris Salisbury
Patacho and Salisbury landed a few jabs on Argentinian pair Ignacio Piotto Albornoz and Juan Cruz Belluati, the world No.78 and 47, respectively, especially in a close second set, before succumbing 6-2, 6-4.
The crowd were in full voice when the Brit duo led 4-3 in the second, but Patacho admitted afterwards that the clutch period of the game didn't go their way.
The 26-year-old said: "Their level is higher so you need to play everything to 100%. As soon as you dip, they will be there [to capitalise]. At 4-3 we made two early mistakes and gave them too much of an easy game. That would have made a big difference to our self-esteem.
“It always hurts to lose, but with the crowd like this and our fight in the second set, you do go home proud."
Tia Norton
The British women's No.3 was given a wild card into the qualifiers where she starred alongside Belgium's Helena Wyckaert.
Given a tough assignment against qualifying fourth seeds Ariadna Canellas Rodero and Amanda Lopez Moral of Spain, they dug very deep in both sets but couldn't prevent a 6-4, 6-4 outcome.
"We left absolutely everything out there," said 22-year-old Norton. "We had our chances but unfortunately couldn't quite take them. We fought for every single point and I couldn't be more proud to have shared that court and that moment.
"A huge thank you to the LTA for believing in us and giving us the wild card, and to everyone involved in putting on such a spectacular tournament."
Cameron Dollimore and Theo Garton
After going down 6-0 in the first set, GB No.4 and 5 Dollimore and Garton put up a real fight in the second, but unfortunately lost their qualifying first-round clash on a tie-break against a Spanish pair.
"Although we couldn't quite get the result we were hoping for, we fought well, we gave it everything and we did ourselves proud," said Garton.
Jamie Lobo Wordsworth & Ben Phillips
Playing at Olympia was a particularly incredible experience for Phillips, GB's No.1 junior, who has made rapid strides in the last year.
The 17-year-old from Nottingham fractured his wrist falling off his bike in June, but managed to line up alongside Wordsworth at Olympia, where they faced Dutchman Thijs Roper and Sweden's Willy Slaryd in round one of qualifying.
After their 6-1, 6-2 reverse, Phillips said: "We didn't find our best level, but competing on this stage and on home soil was an incredible learning experience and something we'll always remember."
