Nike Is Coming for Padel — and They Want Tapia
Nike wants in. The world's biggest sportswear brand is planning a full padel entry in 2027, and they've already identified their star: Agustín Tapia, world #1 and the most exciting player in the sport.
The story broke via Sporting Goods Intelligence, the sporting goods industry's trade bible. According to multiple reports confirmed by Padel Magazine and PadelAddict, Nike has approached Tapia to become the face of their padel line. There's one problem: Nox CEO Jesús Ballvé confirmed that Tapia is under contract with the Spanish racket brand through the end of 2028.
Tapia isn't hiding his feelings. "It would be a dream for me," he told Padel Magazine when asked about the Nike rumors. That's about as public as contract drama gets in padel.
The move isn't random. In January 2026, Nike signed pickleball's #1 Anna Leigh Waters — their first-ever racket sport deal outside tennis. Now they're targeting padel's #1. Pattern recognized: Nike is building a portfolio that covers every court sport where a wall is involved.
It gets bigger. Reports suggest Nike is also eyeing Premier Padel's official technical partnership, currently held by Bullpadel through end-2026. If Nike replaces Bullpadel as the tour's equipment partner AND signs the world's best player, every competitor — Adidas, Head, Wilson, Bullpadel — would need to respond with real money, not just racket lines.
What happens next depends on the Nox contract. Two and a half years is a long time in padel, but Nike has the patience and the budget to wait. In the meantime, expect every brand in padel to be watching nervously.
Source: SGI Europe — Nike padel move: Nox contract blocks Agustín Tapia deal, Padel Magazine
Quick Hits
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Women's padel takes the UN stage — Qatar Sports Investments, Premier Padel, and the FIP hosted a high-level event at the United Nations in Geneva championing women in sport. The headline number: equal prize money now applies across approximately 90% of tournaments on Premier Padel, the CUPRA FIP Tour, and FIP World Cups. No other professional sport can claim that level of parity across its entire tour structure. (Padel FIP)
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Reserve Cup Marbella makes history — Women competed in the Reserve Cup for the first time ever. Team Sierra Blanca Estates took the title, with Arturo Coello and Lara Arruabarrena named MVPs. Carlos Alcaraz showed up in the stands as a surprise guest. The city of Marbella renewed the event agreement through 2030. (El Neverazo)
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Paquito goes unfiltered — In a candid Mundo Deportivo interview, Paquito Navarro admitted: "Padel has evolved and our game is becoming a bit obsolete." The veteran also discussed his return with Di Nenno and his uncertain Spanish national team future. Separately, a viral hidden-camera video showed Paquito disguised as an 80-year-old man at an amateur club — the reactions were gold. (Mundo Deportivo)
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Manchester: UK's padel capital — The Padel Paper declared Manchester the UK's padel capital: 38 clubs, 145 courts, three destination venues. Meanwhile, a York hotel is replacing its tennis courts with padel (covered by the BBC), and Scotland's Highlands are getting their first court ever, via community funding in Kingussie. Padel is everywhere. (The Padel Paper)
Weekend Results
No Premier Padel main tour results this week. Valladolid P2 qualifying started June 21.
Reserve Cup Marbella (Exhibition/Team Format — June 18-20, Puente Romano Beach Resort):
- 🏆 Team Sierra Blanca Estates won the title
- MVPs: Arturo Coello (men), Lara Arruabarrena (women)
- First women's competition in Reserve Cup history
- Carlos Alcaraz attended as guest spectator
Next Premier Padel event: Oysho Valladolid P2 — June 21-28, Plaza Mayor, Valladolid
Coming Up Next
Oysho Valladolid P2 starts now. Glass courts installed in Valladolid's iconic 16th-century Plaza Mayor — one of the most photogenic venues on the circuit. Men's draw: 28 pairs. Women's draw: 24 pairs.
Key storylines: Can Sánchez/Ustero carry their two-tournament momentum into a P2? Is there a men's pair outside the Big Four capable of winning? The P2 format gives lower-ranked players their best shot at a title — someone will seize it.
After Valladolid: Betclic Bordeaux P2 (June 29 – July 5), then Málaga P1 to close the first half.
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Did You Know?
Nike's only current connection to padel is completely unofficial. Argentine player Leo Augsburger — Juan Lebrón's partner — plays in Nike tennis shoes (the Vapor 12 Hypersmash) without any endorsement deal. If Nike signs Tapia, Augsburger might finally get a call too.
Player Spotlight
Lara Arruabarrena
Lara Arruabarrena 🇪🇸
You might know the name from tennis — Arruabarrena reached world #52 on the WTA singles rankings before pivoting to padel. Now 34, she's proving the crossover works. Named MVP at the Reserve Cup Marbella this past weekend, she brought tennis-level athleticism and court coverage that separated her from the field. Originally from San Sebastián, she started playing padel competitively in 2024 and has risen rapidly. Her tennis background gives her an unusual weapon: a flat, aggressive forehand that most padel players simply don't possess. With the Reserve Cup now featuring women through 2030, expect Arruabarrena to be a fixture in these events.
Hot Take
Paquito Navarro saying "our game is becoming obsolete" isn't just honesty — it's a warning the sport should take seriously. Padel's evolution is accelerating so fast that players who were top-5 three years ago can't keep up. That's exciting for fans watching Coello and Tapia redefine what's possible. But it's brutal for the veterans. And it raises a question the sport hasn't answered: what happens to great players when the game leaves them behind at 30? Tennis has a Champions Tour. Padel has nothing. Should it?
Agree? Hit reply.
Number of the Week
90%
Of Premier Padel, CUPRA FIP Tour, and FIP World Cup tournaments now offer equal prize money for men and women
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