UNIVÉ FIP SILVER & BRONZE WESTERBORK: WORLD CLASS AND DUTCH ELITE PLAY PADEL IN WESTERBORK

Impressive Names on the Player List.  

The top-seeded men's duo is the Italian-Spanish pair Denis Tomas Perino and Andrés Fernández Lancha, making them the absolute favorites. Both men are regulars at the world's biggest padel tournaments and are firmly ranked in the top 100 of the world rankings. Their primary challengers are Spaniards Guillem Figuerola Santiago and Roberto Belmont Pastor, along with the strong Dutch duo Julian Prins and Youp de Kroon. They will do their best to keep another top Dutch player, Sten Richters, out of the final. Richters, the highest-ranked Dutchman on the world stage, is competing this year alongside Sweden's Albin Olsson.

The women's Univé FIP Silver boasts an even stronger lineup. Marta Caparrós Maldonado and Águeda Pérez Ortiz enter as the top seeds; both Spanish players rank in the global top 50. Another highlight is the participation of Tunisia's Dora Chamli. She was the first African player to win a match at the highest level in the Premier Padel circuit. She will team up with Portugal's Constança Gorito.

"Last year we proved we could host a top-tier tournament. Now, our outdoor courts feature a women's field with two top-50 players. That's quite something for a club from Drenthe, and we are immensely proud of it."

Tournament Director Mark Brouwer

Strong Representation of Dutch Elite

Nationally, the lineup is equally impressive: over twenty Dutch pairs will compete in international matches on home soil in a single week. Seeing this many Dutch pros in one location usually only happens during the National Championships.

Beside Julian Prins and Youp de Kroon, and Sten Richters with Swedish partner Albin Olsson, nearly the entire Dutch elite is heading to Westerbork. Bram Meijer and Menno Nolten are seeded eighth, Jorrit Hazebroek and Thomas Panken tenth, and padel-playing brothers Kai and Mats Groen thirteenth.

The strongest Dutch women's players are also stepping onto the court, though not with their usual partners. Defending champion Marcella Koek is seeded third with Spain's Ana Varo Ramos, while Janine Hemmes partners with Steffie Weterings in Westerbork. Liza Groenveld, Maaike Betz, Puck Bernard, Tess de Vocht, Merel van Houten, and Joyce Nouws are also on the entrant list.

With both national and international top players present, high tension is expected right from the opening matches on Thursday through to Sunday's finals.

"For fans, this is a unique opportunity: you can see the best Dutch players take on international pros on an outdoor court where you stand so close to the cage you can hear their coaching. It's inspiring for anyone who plays or wants to play padel."

Chairman Erik-Jan Brunninkreef of RC Westerbork

Qualifiers, Wildcards, and a Local Player

The men's main draw consists of 26 directly qualified pairs, four duos from the qualifying round, and two wildcards. For the men, those wildcards were awarded to Pieter Hermus Jr. with Daan Jans, and to Thijs de Kroon with Portugal's Tomás Nunes. The qualification stage starts on Thursday, August 27.

Racketclub Westerbork also features a local player: resident padel instructor Ids Hannema joins Werner Lootsma in the qualifiers. Additionally, Jort Nijdam and Sil Hoekstra from Groningen are competing for a spot in the main draw.

"Players from Northern Netherlands are competing right here for a spot in an international main draw. Who knows, they might soon face players from the world top 100. That will be the match of their lives—and that's exactly why we organize this tournament."

Tournament Director Marc Brouwer

First FIP Silver in Northern Netherlands

The Westerbork tournaments are part of the CUPRA FIP Tour, the global circuit of the International Padel Federation sitting just below the Premier Padel tournaments. Players compete for prize money and world ranking points. Following Northern Netherlands' first FIP Bronze in 2025, the club adds a FIP Silver event this year: a higher category and another regional first. This puts Westerbork on the same calendar as padel hubs like Barcelona, Sydney, and Dubai.

Experience for Fans and Spectators

Action will run across four days on the outdoor courts in Westerbork, promising a great atmosphere filled with music, catering, and top padel action. On Thursday, the first competitors play in the men's qualifying tournament; Friday, August 28 marks the start of the main draw; Saturday, August 29 is the busiest day featuring round two and the quarterfinals, followed by an evening party. On Sunday, August 30, the court hosts the semifinals and finals for both tournaments: six decisive matches in one day. Everything is played outdoors and there is no online ticketing; visitors pay at the entrance.

The organization is no stranger to surprises: during the first edition in 2025, Arjen Robben made his professional circuit debut in Westerbork before roughly 500 spectators around an outdoor court. What lies in store for this year's party evening on Saturday, August 29 remains a secret until the very last moment. But make sure you don't miss it!

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Daily match schedules, results, and full player lists are available at www.fip-westerbork.nl. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram as well.

ENTRY LIST Men's

MAIN DRAW

ENTRY LIST Women's

MAIN DRAW