It has been a long time since the world of padel witnessed such an intense conflict between players and tournament organizers— not since the legal battle that led to the demise of the World Padel Tour and ushered in the Premier Padel era. After several years of relative stability, players are once again rebelling, this time against Premier Padel, resulting in a massive boycott of the Premier Padel Gijón P2 tournament.
The tournament, scheduled from February 24 to March 2, 2025, will be marked by the absence of the top 100 players in the men’s world ranking. This unprecedented event is the consequence of an ongoing dispute between players and the Premier Padel organization. Premier Padel.
The players' frustration stems from several decisions made by Premier Padel that negatively impact their situation. First, the organization has reduced the number of pairs competing in the main draw of tournaments, limiting opportunities for lower-ranked players and restricting access for new talent. Additionally, prize money for lower-ranked pairs has been cut, affecting the financial stability of many athletes. Furthermore, the high costs associated with the qualifying rounds have become another major point of contention, as they pose an economic barrier for those trying to reach the highest level of competition.
As the boycott gained momentum, on February 13, 2025, Premier Padel sent a letter to the players warning of potential legal repercussions. The organization argued that a collective veto could be considered illegal and threatened to take legal action.
With tensions rising, on February 14, Premier Padel extended the registration deadline for the Gijón tournament until midnight that same day, hoping that some players would reconsider their decision. However, this move was unsuccessful. The players remained firm, and negotiations between both parties failed.
Finally, on February 15, the worst-case scenario was confirmed: none of the top 100 male players would participate in the Premier Padel Gijón P2. Simone Cremona, ranked 106th in the world, will be the highest-ranked player competing in the event.
Impact on the future of padel
This unprecedented boycott has sparked a heated debate in the padel world. While some players believe it is a necessary measure to assert their rights and improve their working conditions, others question whether this decision could have negative consequences. What is certain is that the Gijón tournament will go down in professional padel history as a symbol of the players' fight for better conditions.
ENGLISH 
ESPAÑOL