Usually home to theatrical events, this weekend the Sydney Opera House hosted the Padel Invitational Australia.
Taking part in the exhibition were two of the greatest padel players. Alejandra “Ale” Salazar has played the sport for 21 years. During that time she has been the top ranked player four times and part of Spain’s world champion team on seven occasions.
Argentina’s Juan Martín Díaz also accepted the invitation to play on the pop-up padel court at the Opera House. After 13 consecutive years as the world No.1, he retired as the most decorated right-side player in padel’s history.
Two former world No. 1 tennis players, Ash Barty and Pat Rafter, appeared on the court.
Rafter has now transitioned to padel and is a member of Australia’s national team, known as the Aussie Crocs. He featured in all seven events over the weekend.
Barty retired from tennis in 2022 while No. 1 in the world. Having also played cricket professionally and golf with a handicap of 4, Barty took to padel like a pro.
Joining them were two doubles grand slam winners. Todd Woodbridge won every grand slam tournament at least once, in both men’s and mixed doubles. From the early 90s through to 2004, he accumulated 22 titles. These days, he is an award-nominated game show host.
Casey Dellacqua won the mixed at Roland-Garros 15 years ago, and made seven grand slam finals in women’s doubles.
The day started with an inaugural Celebrity 1 Point Padel. No doubt inspired by the tennis 1 Point Slams held at the Australian Open in 2025 and ’26. In a nice touch, the winner of this year’s AO 1 Point Slam, Jordan Smith, was invited to compete in the Celebrity 1 Point Padel.
The winners were the team of Lachlan McLean, star of reality TV show Made in Chelsea and former college soccer player, and padel junior world champion Mar Munera.
“I was so nervous,” said McLean. “It was such a surreal experience.”
They defeated former Australian Rules football pro Joel Patfull and British Premier Padel player Aimee Gibson.
Next up was a Premier Padel x The Padel Invitational competition consisting of doubles contests played over two sets with a 10-point match tiebreak if necessary.
Alongside Salazar, Díaz, Gibson and Munera – Martín Di Nenno, Maximiliano Sánchez, Pablo García Rodrigo, Marina Lobo participated in the showcase.
On Sunday, the Padel Invitational Finals were the main event. Community players from around Australia won competitions or were nominated to gain their place in the Finals.
In the final of the Finals, Annabelle Borges and Julian Yankeliovich representing Padel Gold Coast defeated Sydney Racquet Club 7-6.
Title concept image of the padel court on the Northern Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House by Padel Invitational presented by UBS