LTA announce British wild cards for the London Premier Padel P1 2026
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LTA and London Premier Padel have announced British wildcards for the upcoming P1 tournament in London from 4-9 August.
The tournament features a 64-pair men's main draw, supported by a 32-pair qualifying draw, and a 32-pair women's main draw, with a 16-pair qualifying competition.
A total of seven wild card pairs have been awarded entry across the men's and women's events, providing additional opportunities for players to compete on the international stage.
In the women’s competition, two wild card pairs have been awarded, with one receiving direct entry into the main draw and the other entering the qualifying draw.
In the men’s competition, five wild card pairs have been awarded places, including three in the main draw and two in qualifying.
London Premier Padel P1 wild cards
Women's main draw
- Aimee Gibson (GBR) & Catherine Rose (GBR)
Women's qualification draw
- Tia Norton (GBR) & Helena Wyckaert (BEL)
Men's main draw
- Christian Medina Murphy (GBR) & Alberto Garcia Jimenez (ESP)
- Louie Harris (GBR) & Alexander Loughlan (GBR)
- Alfonso Patacho GBR & Chris Salisbury GBR
Men's qualification draw
- Cameron Dollimore (GBR) & Theodore Garton (GBR)
- Ben Phillips (GBR) & Jamie Lobo Wordsworth (GBR)
Current women’s GB No.1, Catherine Rose, will partner Aimee Gibson, GB No.2. The pair boast an impressive record together, having claimed three FIP titles and lifted the inaugural LTA Padel National Championships crown in 2025, and will be aiming to make their mark in the tournament.
Reflecting on receiving a wild card, Rose said, “I couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to compete in the main draw of the London Premier Padel P1. Having grown up in and around London, the chance to play in front of a home crowd, with my friends and family supporting me, makes this a truly special moment.
"The tournament is a fantastic platform to showcase the growth of British padel and inspire more people to pick up a racket and experience the sport for themselves. I’m incredibly grateful to the LTA for this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to playing against some of the world’s best players.”
22-year-old Tia Norton has been awarded a wild card into the women’s qualifying draw and will compete for a place in the main draw alongside her Belgian partner, Helena Wyckaert. The pair regularly compete together on the international circuit.
Wildcard opportunities at British events such as the London Premier Padel P1 play a crucial role in player development, giving British athletes the chance to face world-class opposition, earn ranking points and prize money, and gain experience on home soil.
In the men’s main draw, wild cards have been awarded to several GB national team players. British No.1 Christian Medina Murphy will team up with Spanish partner Alberto Garcia Jimenez.
Joining them are the 2025 LTA Padel National Championships winners, Louie Harris and Alexander Loughlan. National players Alfonso Patacho and Chris Salisbury are also set to compete in London
Reflecting on his wild card GB No.1 male Medina Murphy said, “It’s a huge honour to play in the first-ever Premier Padel event in Britain. Competing in front of a home crowd at the London Premier Padel P1 at Olympia is something I’m really looking forward to, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for me. I’m very grateful to the LTA for the main draw wild card and I’ll be giving everything on court. I can’t wait to get started and play my best padel in front of the British fans.”
Men’s qualifying wildcards have been awarded to Cameron Dollimore and Theodore Garton, who regularly compete together on the FIP circuit. They will be joined in the London Premier Padel P1 qualifying draw by Britain’s top U18 player, Ben Phillips, and national team player Jamie Lobo Wordsworth.
Taking place between 4-9 August as part of the 2026 Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour, the landmark event will bring the world's elite men's and women's players to one of London's most iconic venues - marking one of the first professional sports tournaments to be staged at Olympia following its major recent development.
The Premier Padel Tour is the highest-level professional padel circuit in the world. With 24 tournaments in the calendar, including the five Majors and the Finals, the Premier Padel Tour sees the world’s best players compete at some of the most iconic padel venues across the globe.
Staged as a P1 tournament, the second-highest tier on the Premier Padel circuit below the Majors, the London event will see padel’s elite men’s and women’s players playing professionally in one of the world’s most iconic sporting cities for the first time.
Wild cards for the London Premier Padel P1 were carefully selected by a panel comprising members of the LTA Padel and Performance Team.
