At Vilamoura, padel becomes more than a sport for two days – it becomes a spectacle where legends continue to shine
Some padel tournaments are defined by the points won on court. Others are remembered for the stories they create and the spectacle they deliver. The Padel Grand Champions, which concluded on Wednesday, August 5, belongs firmly to the latter category.
For two days, the Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy once again became a meeting point for some of the biggest names in the world of padel, bringing together former world number ones, international champions and hundreds of spectators in an atmosphere that combined high-level competition with a rare sense of closeness between players and fans.
Now in its fourth edition, the event has once again proved the success of its unique formula. With around 400 spectators each day, live coverage on Sport TV and a line-up featuring some of the sport’s greatest names, the tournament has cemented its place as one of the most exclusive padel events held in Portugal.
When the competition came to a close, Fernando Belasteguín (Bela) and Chico Gomes once again wrote their names into the tournament’s history. The pair defeated Fernando Poggi and Godo Díaz 6-4, 6-4 to successfully defend their 2025 title, becoming the first team to claim back-to-back Padel Grand Champions titles. Earlier in the day, Richard Brooks and Ramiro Moyano secured third place after overcoming Xico Neves and Aday Santana.
Chico Gomes and Fernando Belasteguín
The concept behind the event dates back much further. Between 2001 and 2010, Pedro Frazão, CEO of Premier Sports and director of the Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy, organised a similar tournament dedicated to former tennis stars. Years later, recognising padel’s rapid growth, he decided to adapt the format to a sport attracting an ever-growing following. The result, he believes, remains unlike anything else on the international calendar. “This is a unique tournament. There isn’t another event with this format anywhere else in the world,” says Pedro Frazão.
Unlike the major professional circuits, the Padel Grand Champions has no rankings or qualification rounds. Instead, players are personally invited by Frazão, who has built friendships with many of the sport’s biggest names over several decades. “I know them all. I contact them personally and ask whether they’re available. Usually, they are,” he explains.
Before the tournament even got underway, Fernando Bela, Fernando Poggi and Godo Díaz could be found around a table in the academy’s restaurant, reminiscing about their careers and chatting casually about previous editions of the event.
Asked what keeps bringing them back to Vilamoura, the answer came without hesitation. “There are several reasons, but above all it’s the organisation. It’s like a mini professional tournament. We always feel very well looked after here,” says Fernando Poggi.
Bela agrees: “The organising team is fantastic and they always make us feel at home. I think that’s exactly why we keep coming back. If someone other than Pedro Frazão had invited me, I probably wouldn’t have come this season,” says the Argentinian, who spent an unprecedented 16 consecutive years as the world’s number one player.
More than simply bringing together former champions, the Padel Grand Champions has created an environment where top-level competition goes hand in hand with a relaxed atmosphere, allowing spectators to get remarkably close to the players. “Every year the tournament is full. What we always try to do is put on a great show that people will enjoy,” Bela adds.
That accessibility also helps explain padel’s growing popularity. According to Carlos Machado, the tournament’s communications adviser, Portugal has provided ideal conditions for the sport to flourish. “It benefited enormously from the pandemic. It was one of the first sports to reopen, it’s very easy to learn and it has an incredibly strong social component. People play, then stay at the club to chat and spend time together. That makes all the difference,” he says.
Even so, he believes there is still one important challenge. “We have hundreds of thousands of recreational players, but many of them don’t follow the professional circuit. One of this tournament’s aims is to bring those people closer to the sport’s biggest stars.”
It is precisely that balance between world-class competition, exclusivity and accessibility that continues to set the Padel Grand Champions apart on the international stage.
A partnership driven by shared values
If the tournament brings together some of padel’s greatest names on court, it is also increasingly attracting brands looking to connect with an audience that values sport, well-being and a premium lifestyle.
Among them this year was Polestar, the tournament’s official sponsor. For the Swedish electric car manufacturer, the event reflects the values it wants to communicate. “Our brand isn’t just about cars – it’s about a way of life, and a healthy one,” explains Miguel Pinto, managing director of Polestar Portugal. “Sport is part of our identity and padel, in particular, is a fast-growing sport with a strong social dimension, where people come together, spend time together and enjoy themselves.”
The partnership came just a few months after the opening of the brand’s Faro dealership in December 2025, in partnership with Pontautos. For Miguel Pinto, it made perfect sense that Polestar’s first major investment in the Algarve should be through padel. “It was a strategic decision. At this time of year, the Algarve welcomes thousands of visitors and it’s a region where we want to strengthen our presence,” he says.
Throughout the tournament, several Polestar models were on display around the academy, attracting plenty of interest from visitors. “People come over, ask questions and want to get to know the brand. We’re still in the early stages of our journey in Portugal and initiatives like this help us build awareness and spark curiosity.”
For Polestar, however, the partnership extends well beyond the tournament itself. According to Miguel Pinto, the agreement with the Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy is a multi-year partnership that will continue through future tournaments and other initiatives organised throughout the year. “We fully intend to continue. It’s an excellent opportunity to associate the brand with a sport that brings together people, businesses and a very interesting audience in such an important location as Vilamoura,” he says.
A club that continues to grow
The growth of the tournament mirrors the development of the academy itself. Today, the Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy features nine padel courts, eight tennis courts, four pickleball courts and new facilities dedicated to athletes’ physical preparation, cementing its position as one of Portugal’s leading centres for racket sports.
Asked about the club’s ambitions, Pedro Frazão answers without hesitation: “We’re already the best club in Portugal.” That same confidence shapes his vision for the future of the Padel Grand Champions. Despite growing demand, there are no plans to significantly expand the event.
“We want to keep this format. We might increase the size of the grandstand slightly, but we want to continue offering an exclusive experience,” he says.
Unlike many international sporting events, where contact between athletes and spectators is limited, the atmosphere in Vilamoura continues to place genuine emphasis on personal interaction. It’s not unusual to see former champions chatting with fans, posing for photographs or simply lingering after matches to continue conversations. It is this combination of sporting excellence, an intimate atmosphere and meticulous organisation that sets the Padel Grand Champions apart.
Few people sum up that spirit better than Fernando Belasteguín. Asked whether he intends to return to the Algarve, the Argentinian smiles: “As long as Pedro invites us and we’re still fit enough to play, we’ll be here.”
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