The CUPRA FIP Tour has returned to the United Arab Emirates for the FIP Bronze Damac, marking the fourth event of the season held in Dubai. The tournament, hosted at the World Padel Academy, features a diverse international field with participants representing more than 30 countries across the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, and Southeast Asia.
Tournament Structure and Key Contenders
The competition officially kicks off on Thursday with the main draws. The men’s bracket consists of 32 pairs competing for the title, while the women’s draw features a competitive lineup of top-seeded international talent. The tournament schedule is condensed, with the second round and quarter-finals set for Friday, semi-finals on Saturday, and the championship finals concluding the event on Sunday.
The following pairs and players are currently positioned as the ones to watch throughout the tournament:
- Pablo Vicente and Nacho Archieri: Entering as the top-seeded pair in the men’s draw, this Spanish-Argentine duo arrives in Dubai with momentum following their recent appearance in the FIP Silver final in Bangkok.
- Diego Arredondo and Nicolas Zurita: Representing Mexico and Italy respectively, this pair is highlighted as a major threat in the bottom half of the men’s draw.
- Ronco and Lacamoire: Seeded third, this team is among the primary contenders looking to challenge for the championship title.
- Huete and Muñoz: Entering the tournament as the fourth seeds, they remain firmly in the hunt for the top spot.
- Rebeca Lopez and Nika Sluzhiteleva: This pair leads the women’s entry list as the number one seeds.
- Patricia Ribeiro and Mafalda Marques: Holding the second seed, they are positioned as the primary challengers to the top-ranked women’s team.
- Martina Minetti and Constança Gorito: Rounding out the top three, this duo enters the tournament as the third seeds in the women’s draw.
The event underscores the growing global footprint of the sport, with a significant turnout from Middle Eastern nations including the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iran, alongside a strong contingent of European players from countries such as Italy, Great Britain, Spain, and Finland.
