Sabatini and Toni Nadal bring VIP Padel glamour to Santa Ponsa

Sabatini and Toni Nadal bring VIP Padel glamour to Santa Ponsa

Stars, short decisions, and a wildcard for the winners

On Saturday the parking lot between Palma's expressway and the green slope of the Mallorca Country Club was transformed into a place where the clacking of padel balls, laughter and the soft murmur of the coast merged into an unusual soundscape. The sun was high, a light breeze blew from the sea — perfect summer weather for a sporting gathering away from the usual serious tournament scene.

Organized by the club itself in cooperation with Padel FC, members and invited guests came together to watch the fast version of a padel duel: the so-called OnePointChallenge, where each encounter is decided by a single point. Short matches, high intensity — both in sport and in atmosphere.

Among the participants were familiar names: Gabriela Sabatini, one of the great figures of women's tennis, and Toni Nadal, who has made the family name well known on the island. Together with former professionals and local personalities like Tommy Haas and Patrick Sievers, who works as Global Head of Marketing for an automobile manufacturer, they formed rotating pairs that produced unusual but entertaining duels.

Surprisingly composed and visibly enjoying themselves, Sabatini and Toni Nadal fought their way to the final. In the end, however, they did not take the tournament victory: padel player and coach Nadia Mora and Fabian Smith prevailed. Their prize was not only the applause of the guests but also a wildcard for the OPCT tournament at the Mallorca Country Club in September, where a prize fund of €10,000 is on offer.

The atmosphere on the club's veranda was relaxed: people toasted with a glass of mineral water or a chilled white wine, children ran barefoot across the lawn near the facility, and occasional cyclists from Santa Ponsa stopped to take a look at the action. Such scenes show how sporting events here attract not only professionals but also connect neighbors and visitors.

For Mallorca this is more than just a nice side event to a grass-court ATP tournament. Formats like this generate visibility for smaller sports, bring international names to local clubs and create tangible sports tourism. Hotels and restaurants in the area felt the effect: a few extra tables on terraces, some additional bookings — palpable signals for the local economy.

What sticks with you? Padel on the island is no longer a niche topic. Events like this show that compact, attention-grabbing formats can spark curiosity. Young players see role models in action, club members experience encounters with professionals, and organizers test new ideas for spectator engagement.

Looking ahead: the date in September promises excitement. The wildcard winners will then compete against a stronger field — which brings extra attraction for spectators and foreign media. On the promenade of Santa Ponsa, where pigeons circle the lampposts in the evening and the harbor cooks open their doors, the conversation about the short, intense matches remains a topic for days afterwards.

On the sidelines of a major grass-court tennis event, a small but fine sports festival arose — with laughing guests, genuine applause and the clear message: Mallorca can be more than grass, sun and beach. Here sport culture, neighborhood life and the international craft of the game meet. And that is good for local life and good for the island's image.