Padel’s “Ryder Cup moment” has finally arrived – and it’s called the Anglo American Cup

Padel’s long-anticipated “Ryder Cup moment” has at last taken shape — and it goes by the name Anglo American Padel Cup.  Debuting in London last weekend (10-11 October), the GB versus USA showdown delivered on its bold promise of a transatlantic team rivalry, culminating in a “couldn’t script it” dramatic finish that underlines its potential as the sport’s signature international showdown.

It’s become the aspiration for many modern sports as they search for relevancy in an increasingly congested international sporting calendar. Finding “your Ryder Cup moment” has become an activity in itself for many sports seeking to assert their identity and engage the ever increasingly-sedentary younger generations for whom it’s far from a given that they’ll get energised by sport. Just how you do capture the hearts and minds of not only existing sports fans, but those you’re seeking to convert off the couch and into the orbit of professional sport? The Laver Cup has done it in tennis, and done it well. Yet, others have failed.

And so, last weekend it turned to padel, a sport which, if it hasn’t yet enraptured middle America, it surely soon will, just as it has so much of South America, Europe and the Middle East. Because, after all, with a new padel club opening every 2.5 hours worldwide (according to leading racquet sport technology app Playtomic), surely it’s a matter of time before America wakes up and smells the (padel) coffee.

“With a new padel club opening every 2.5 hours worldwide, surely it’s a matter of time before America wakes up and smells the (padel) coffee."

Well, that time has surely just arrived, and all thanks to the hugely successful and nail bitingly close Anglo American Padel Cup which debuted in North London last weekend. Billed in the lead up by its founders Bill Ullman, Ben Nichols and Joelle Quinn as a potentially significant moment for the sport in the U.S. and UK, the Cup not only delivered, it struck at the heart of what this most historic of sporting rivalries - between two nations that know more than a thing or two about each other - is all about.

“The Cup not only delivered, it struck at the heart of what this most historic of sporting rivalries - between two nations that know more than a thing or two about each other - is all about.”

While the approach to the venue in suburban Barnet in north London may be an unassuming one - Reserve Padel Miami vistas, it’s not - as soon as you stepped inside the Padel Hub N10 venue, it quickly became clear this was no ordinary padel competition. Draped in union jacks and stars and stripes, the event left no detail forgotten in its quest to deliver what was a transformative weekend for the sport. From a quintessential British tea served to players mid afternoon, to the ice bath and sauna offering for 64 players’ aching muscles, the Anglo American Cup was leaving no stone unturned in its mission to make a difference in British and American padel.

The Cup’s clever choice of partners was apparent, too. Playtomic - with its strategic focus on the UK and U.S. padel markets - sat alongside Babolat as the title partner of the Cup, while the likes of Tom Holland’s NoLo beer company BERO proudly acclaiming its “Born in London, Made in America” strapline, and Virgin Hotels (a brand as recognisable in America as it is in Britain) secured as official hotels partner, the Anglo American Cup was padel with an unashamedly large splash of culture and wellness thrown in.

Yet, despite - or perhaps in spite of - the delicious fusion of British and American cultures on display inside the venue, ultimately it was the padel that wowed. A first year competition always raises a huge dose of the unknown, and yet the outcome couldn't have been scripted any better.

“Yet, despite - or perhaps in spite of - the delicious fusion of British and American cultures on display inside the venue, ultimately it was the padel that wowed…the outcome couldn't have been scripted any better.”

With a race to 49 being at the heart of the Cup’s format, the United States took an end-of-day-one lead of 25 points to 15. However, at the start of day two it was the British - perhaps with echoes of Ryder Cups gone by (Bethpage, anyone?) - that came out of the blocks fastest. Inspired by early victories from its Open Mixed pairings Laura Jackson & George Weller, and Alice Keddie & Rafa Vega, Britain steadily chipped away at the deficit, winning match after match, before pulling ahead to lead by 37 points to 35 by the afternoon.

By the time of the end of the penultimate session, the Americans had poked their noses back in front by 44 points to 40, resulting in a straight shoot out for the final session of the day as a packed crowd was enthralled by the palpable tension. With the United States requiring two wins from four, and Britain requiring three, it was down to American Men’s 60+ number one pair of Ron Bobman and Tom Bartzen to secure a victory over Britain’s Sandy Case and Minter Dial to clinch the victory for Team USA––and, in doing so, get one up on its oldest of rivals.

With bragging rights secured by Team USA over its old nemesis Great Britain - for the next year, at least - the birth of the Anglo American Cup means padel has secured its true Ryder Cup moment, and in doing so has breathed new life into this most historic of sporting duels.

The America’s, Davis, Ryder and Walker Cups have sent Britain and America into sporting battle for almost 175 years. With the Anglo American Cup, a new chapter to this most historic of sporting rivalries might just have arrived when least expected.