During an official Draft event, Team Owners and their franchise players have selected their remaining male, female and Nex Gen players, completing the world-class team line-ups for this inaugural event.
With just under 60 days to go, tickets for the event, which takes place 31 January to 4th February 2024, are now on official release through Ticketmaster via www.hexagoncup.com
Madrid, December 1 , 2023 - Momentum continues to build steadily for the Hexagon Cup, the new padel tournament whose mission is to transform the sport of 20 x 10. With just under two months to go until the highly anticipated first event, Team Owners and their franchise players have selected their remaining team mates.
Earlier in the week, each Team Owner selected their two franchise players, who will act as team captains. Now, during an online private Draft, for which more than 400 players from around the world entered themselves for, they have selected the final four members of their teams; one man, one woman and two "next gen" under 22 years of age. However, in a unique decision, fans had the choice and got to vote for their preferred players to join the Hexagon Cup team.
"The Hexagon Cup Draft results are in and we are delighted with the squad of players that our teams have selected,” says Carlos Almazán, Sporting General Manager, Hexagon Cup. “With seven of the world’s top ten male players, and eight of the world’s top ten female players, including the number one best for each gender, and top Next Gen future stars of the game, the talent pool across the teams is both exceptional and well matched. We predict a world-class padel tournament of the highest level.”
Team Line-Ups
Hexagon Team
The first team to be unveiled last September was the Hexagon Team itself, which announced Paquito Navarro and Alejandra Salazar as franchise players at its presentation event. Well, this magnificent duo will be joined by Juan Martín Díaz and Tamara Icardo. Juan Martín Díaz, a true legend of this sport with a record of 170 titles and numerous records behind him (13 consecutive years as number one, six World Championship titles), will be able to enjoy one last dance on the floor. On the other hand, Alejandra Salazar will share the court with Tamara Icardo, current top ten in the FIP ranking.
As for the Next Gen players, the Hexagon Cup team will feature Pablo Cardona (19 years old) and current number 72 in the FIP ranking, and Alonso Rodriguez (20), who is ranked 115th in the FIP lists.
Rafa Nadal Academy Team powered by Richard Mille
After the Hexagon cup team, it was the turn of the Rafa Nadal Academy Team powered by Richard Mille, which has Maribel Nadal as its top representative. The academy line-up of the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced earlier this week Martita Ortega and Álex Ruiz as franchise players. These two great faces of the world of sport will be accompanied by the Argentinian Franco Stupaczuk (seventh in the FIP ranking and holder of almost twenty titles, including the World Championship in 2022) and Gemma Triay (third in the ranking, more than 40 titles to her credit and two-time world champion).
Regarding the Next-Gen, Guillermo Collado and Daniel Santigosa are the chosen ones. Guillermo Collado, 18 years old, is ranked 357th in the FIP ranking and holds the title of champion of the XXXVI edition of the Spanish Junior Championship, held just a few months ago. As for Daniel, he is 258th in the FIP ranking and has won the double title of champion of the European Padel Games 2023.
Maribel Nadal, Director of Marketing at the Rafa Nadal Academy, says: "Having incorporated Gemma and Franco in the draft has made us very happy. I think we have a great team of players who fit our DNA. We are also convinced that our Next Gen players will also surprise the public at the Madrid Arena. We are really looking forward to the tournament!"
RL9
The RL9 Team of Polish footballer Robert Lewandowski was the third team to confirm its participation in the Hexagon Cup, and demonstrated its ambition for the tournament with the presence of Agustín Tapia and Ariana Sánchez (both number one in the FIP World ranking) as franchise players. The women's pairing is completed with the election of Claudia Jensen, fourteenth ranked in the FIP ranking and semifinalist of the last Mexico Open. As for the men's pair, it will be Jon Sanz (22nd in the FIP ranking and two titles to his credit) who will accompany Agustín Tapia on the court.
The RL9 also bets on the youngest Next Gen couple of the tournament, which will be formed by David Gala and the Argentine Enzo Jensen, both 17 years old and who made their debut in a final draw in 2023.
“I am thrilled to welcome Ariana and Agustin to the RL9 padel family. Their exceptional skills, dedication, and passion for the game make them valuable additions to our team, says Team Owner Robert Lewandowski. “I am excited about the unique strengths and talents they bring. Together with Jon, Claudia, Gala and Enzo, they will elevate the competitive spirit of our team. We can not wait for the tournament to begin!”
Team AD/vantage
Andy Murray, Arran Yentob and Dani Vallverdú are the leaders of Team AD/vantage who bring a UK flavour to the Hexagon Cup. Just a few days ago, the team confirmed Delfina Brea and Martín di Nenno as franchise players. The team's choice in the Draft led them to select Sofia Araujo, ninth in the FIP rankings and who has played Brea already this year, and Juan Tello, number ten.
By their side, they will have the Next Gen Pablo Garcia (20 years old, 100 FIP ranking) and Pol Hernandez, (19 years old and 189 FIP ranking), who has three semifinals in his last three FIP Rise tournaments.
Arran Yentob, Co-Owner of Team AD/vantage says, “’We are truly excited to have a special team at AD/Vantage - players that we’ve admired for some time, world champions, some of the most promising talent in the game, as well as being friends together. It’s the combination and team we wanted and we can’t wait to get going on January 31st!’’
ElevenEleven Team USA
The American entry headed by Eva Longoria, renowned actress, director, entrepreneur and activist, and Dani Homedes, from Dara Sport, announced Fernando Belasteguín and Paula Josemaría as franchise players. They are joined by Luciano Capra (15th in the FIP ranking) and 17 year old Alejandra Alonso, 34th in the FIP lists.
The Next Gen selected by the team are Alex Chozas (20 years old), ranked 123 FIP and who this year participated in his first main draw at the Granada Open, and Emilio Sanchez (20 years old), ranked 107 and cadet world champion in 2019.
Dani Homedes explains: “We are so happy with the outcome from our first draft. Bela is looking forward to playing with Lucho, and Alejandra is one of the most talented players in the world, so having her play with Paula will bring great competition to the tournament. Our next gen players are promising and ready to win. It’s the team we were looking for and we are so excited to compete at the Hexagon Cup!”
Team Bella Puerto Rico
Finally, the last team to confirm its presence in the Hexagon Cup was Team Bella Puerto Rico, led by Carlos López-Lay and María Esteve, Puerto Rican businessmen and owners of the Bella automotive group. As franchise players, the Puerto Rican team has two references in the world of padel such as Bea González and Arturo Coello. In this case, during the draft the team chose Claudia Gonzalez, 24th in the FIP ranking, and Coki Nieto, number 17 in the FIP ranking, as the men's pair.
The young promises that will complete this team are Fran Guerrero (20 years old), number 79 in the lists and Spanish champion in several categories, and Rodrigo Coello (19 years old), 254 in the FIP lists and one of the great promises of the national scene.
“We are very happy to have formed what many have said has become the Bella Puerto Rico ‘Dream Team’, expressed Carlos López-Lay. “Participating in this first edition of the Hexagon Cup and competing against the best in the world in a different format for the benefit of the fans and the world of padel is a privilege. Let's go for more.” expressed Carlos López-Lay.
An all-star tournament to take padel to another level
Born under the motto "For the Fans. For the Players. For the Game", the Hexagon Cup is an innovative padel tournament where everyone competes for an impressive prize pool of one million euros, creating an exciting team competition and a unique experience for fans.
During the tournament itself, the six teams will be divided into two qualifying groups and compete in a series of exciting head-to-head matchups. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the finals, where the inaugural Hexagon Cup champion will be crowned with a prize pool of €1 million up for grabs.
Whilst six teams will feature in this first edition of the tournament, event organisers are keen to attract additional teams for future editions, providing more opportunities for the world’s top players to compete.
For its first event, the Hexagon Cup will take over the country’s historic Madrid Arena from January 31 to February 4, creating a big show experience. This will include an engaging Fan Village filled with player autograph sessions, exhibition courts with matches from Next Gen players, live concerts and entertainment, shops, exhibitors, and top gastronomy offerings. World-class VIP hospitality experiences will also be offered, all designed to give sports and entertainment fans a truly unforgettable experience.Tickets for this historic, star studded first event are now available to buy, with prices starting at just €20 euros for single-day passes, via www.hexagoncup.com/tickets.
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