The global expansion of padel reaches a tropical milestone this week as the Maldives officially joins the international circuit for the first time. The capital city of Malé is set to host the FIP Silver Women’s Padel Crossroads Maldives, marking a significant addition to the 2026 CUPRA FIP Tour calendar.
Tournament Details and Key Contenders
This historic event continues a trend of rapid geographic growth for the tour, which recently held its inaugural tournament in Uzbekistan. As the competition prepares to kick off, the field features several high-profile athletes looking to secure a victory in this new destination. The tournament main draw is scheduled to run from Wednesday, November 4, through the finals on Sunday, November 8. The following pairs are among the most notable entries to watch during the competition:
- Nuria Rodriguez and Marta Talavan: As the top-seeded pair, they enter the tournament as the favorites. Rodriguez is currently ranked world No. 22 and has demonstrated excellent form this season, including semi-final appearances at the Rome Major and Valladolid P2 alongside Giulia Dal Pozzo.
- Nerea Guerra and Carla Fernandez: This duo brings significant experience to the court, boasting impressive career records of 10 and nine CUPRA FIP Tour titles respectively.
- Eugenia Guimet and Maria Portillo: A strong pairing that adds further depth and competitiveness to the tournament draw.
- Ekaterina Nikitina and Ariadna Canellas: These athletes round out the list of notable contenders expected to make an impact throughout the week in Malé.
The inclusion of the Maldives in the CUPRA FIP Tour highlights the sport's ongoing international momentum. By hosting this FIP Silver event, the Maldives joins a diverse group of nations—including Kosovo, Malta, Slovenia, and Poland—that have all contributed to the tour's expansive reach throughout 2026. Fans and followers of the sport will be watching closely to see which of these top-tier pairings will claim the inaugural title in this new, exotic setting.
