And the winner is…padel
by Minter Dial
The Anglo American Padel Cup brought a fresh burst of transatlantic sporting spirit to the courts, welcoming the world’s fastest-growing racquet sport to the proud rivalry between Great Britain and the United States.
Over two thrilling days, featuring 48 matches, spectators watched as national pride ping-ponged across the net, with players representing both sides in Open and age group divisions for men and women. Each age group had eight members, and they each played two regular matches (worth 3 or 2 points) and one mixed match (1 point).
From the first serve, it was clear this event was more than just a match – it was history-in-the-making. With 64 of the best British and American padel players battling in the relatively new venue, Padel Hub North, boasting 15-metre-high ceilings, buzzed with excitement.
The elite participants included several of the LTA’s top-ranked players, including Rafa Vega, George Weller, Nick Hatchett and Cam Dollimore, who led the charge for Team GB in the Open Men’s category.
Among the British women, Laura Jackson, Ellie Tait, Alice Keddie and Victoria Nicholas competed in the Open Women’s section.
Team GB came up against a determined Team USA spearheaded by the US Padel Association’s Bill Ullman (also co-founder along with Joelle Quinn and GB’s Ben Nichols), and featuring Matt Hansen, Josh Silverstein, Dhany Quevedo and Ana Zubori. Spectators filled the spaces around the courts, soaking in the camaraderie (and friendly jibes), with the court side café acting as a hub of lively debate and banter.
At end of Day 1, the US held a daunting 10-point lead. However, by midday on Day 2, the Brits had fought back and retaken the lead. In a race to get 49 points, GB held leads of 27-26 and then 37-35. After tightly contested rounds that had fans biting their nails, Team USA triumphed in a heart-stopping finish. Sitting with a 47-43 lead, the US clinched the inaugural trophy with a display of cunning shots and powerful drives, in which US’s Men’s 60+ number one pairing of Ron Bobman and Tom Bartzen secured victory over Team GB’s Sandy Case and Minter Dial. With decibel readings peaking over 100db, it was a raucous match.
True to the spirit of this new-age classic, there were broader winners: the game of padel itself, and everyone present for the sparkling revival of Anglo-American rivalry. 🎾
