Malaga crowns padel's first university world champions this weekend

Padel is about to crown its first university world champions. The inaugural FISU World University Championship Padel runs July 7-11 in Malaga, and the finals come on Saturday.

The event is a first for the sport. FISU, the International Padel Federation and the University of Malaga built it together, bringing 20 nations and more than 120 student-athletes to the PSM Fantasy padel club, a 12-court indoor complex in the city.

Three titles up for grabs

There are three draws - men's, women's and mixed - and each started from the round of 32. Delegations sent up to 12 players, six men and six women, so most countries field two pairs per category. Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the United States and Argentina are among the entrants.

Some names already carry ranking pedigree. Laura Lujan, No. 45 in the FIP ranking and a former FIP Gold winner, leads the women's field alongside Agueda Perez.

Why it matters

"At the University of Malaga, we are very proud to host the first edition of the World University Padel Championship," said Manuel Trujillo of the organising committee. A parallel Inclusive Draw, running July 9-11, pairs university athletes with players who have intellectual disabilities.

The timing is neat. Malaga hosts Premier Padel's P1 stop days later, so the city stays the sport's capital deep into July.