Japan and Philippines Win on Padel's Historic Asian Games Debut in Nagoya

Padel arrived at the Asian Games for the first time on Monday, and the host nation made sure the debut felt like a party. Japan's Teruaki Ando and Shinnosuke Nakamura beat Lebanon's Tamim El Hallak and Ralph Tohme 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 in the men's round of 32 at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center, the first padel match ever played at the Games.

A strong start for two debutants

The Philippines matched Japan's early momentum. Danna Abad and Joshea Malazarte beat Saudi Arabia's Kurdi and Alabdullatif in the women's draw, then the Philippines added a men's win as Lapidus and Canizares got past Indonesia's Edison and Soemarno. Kazakhstan and Hong Kong also won their opening men's matches, while Kuwait and Iran picked up wins in the women's event.

Eighty-eight players from 13 nations are competing across the men's and women's pairs events, which run through October 3. None of the participating countries had ever contested padel at a major multi-sport Games before this week.

Bigger picture: an Olympic pitch

FIP officials have made no secret that the Asian Games slot is part of a longer campaign for Olympic recognition. 'We are working hard to make it happen soon,' FIP official Del Gaudio said of the sport's Olympic push. Abad said the moment mattered beyond the scoreline. 'We're grateful to be here,' she said. 'Adding another sport, such as padel, gives more players in the Philippines the opportunity to represent our country.'

Play continues Tuesday with the rest of the first round wrapping up in the morning before the round of 16 gets underway in the afternoon.