Kolkata Padel Open: A Historic Debut for Indian Padel

The inaugural Kolkata Padel Open, held December 27-29, was a landmark event in Indian Padel, engaging over 125 players in 200 matches. Hosted by The Padel Club, it established Kolkata as a crucial hub for Padel. Champions emerged across all categories, highlighting the sport's inclusive and dynamic spirit.

The first-ever Kolkata Padel Open, hosted by The Padel Club from December 27 to 29, concluded impressively on Sunday, displaying outstanding skills and community spirit among players and fans. Over 125 participants, featuring in nearly 200 matches across men's singles, men's doubles, mixed doubles, and junior doubles, highlighted the event as a significant milestone for Padel in India, cementing Kolkata's reputation as a growing center for this evolving sport.

Nilesh Bansal, co-founder of The Padel Club, hailed the event's success, stating, "The Kolkata Padel Open exceeded our expectations. From thrilling matches to enthusiastic spectators, it marked the true genesis of a Padel community in Kolkata. We're eager to see the sport expand," he expressed in a release from Kolkata Padel Open. The tournament finals were exhilarating, with champions crowned in all categories. In men's singles, Divyang Kumar, a two-time national champion, claimed victory against Adit Patel in a nail-biting three-set finale.

In the men's doubles, Divyang Kumar joined forces with Vatsal Tolasaria to triumph over Adit Patel and Nilesh Bansal in a high-energy matchup. Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles, Adit Patel paired with former tennis star Dipti Srivastava, securing the title. The junior doubles category saw the youngest victors, 14-year-olds Vir Beri and Raghavendra Thirani, defeating older opponents. Ten players were awarded as "Emerging Local Talent" for exceptional performances, receiving new Padel gear.

The Kolkata Padel Open laid a robust foundation for the sport in Eastern India. Atishay Agarwal, co-founder and sports marketing professional, remarked, "This weekend demonstrated Padel's potential in Kolkata. The displayed talent, spectator energy, and overall enthusiasm showed that this is merely the beginning. We're committed to nurturing this community," he noted in a release from the Kolkata Padel Open.

(With inputs from agencies.)