APPT Volvo Open – Kuala Lumpur 2024 gave us unforgettable moments. 128 teams and 211 players from 37 countries, the tournament landed for the first time in Malaysia where the club, the city and the country prove they are more than ready to make the difference and host one of the best APPT’s so far.
A GRAND OPENING AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
The tournament kicked off on Thursday, November 7th, with the Pro live drawing and the press conference at the Hilton Petaling Jaya. Following the initial presentation, spectators were treated to a lively Lion Dance ceremony at Joy Division Padel, a vibrant nod to local culture that set a celebratory tone for the days ahead. Ones blessed for everything; it was time for padel!
Players had the chance to familiarize themselves with the venue during the warm-up sessions on Thursday evening, as excitement built for the matches to come. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as players and fans alike geared up for an intense schedule of competitions.
FRIDAY 7AM, GAME ON!
The action officially began early on Friday, November 8th, with games in both the professional categories at the Joy Division Padel courts. Fans gathered to witness skilled athletes in categories such as Pro Male, Pro Female, Pro Mix where each game brought new highlights, as athletes gave their all in pursuit of victory.
From that moment on, more and more matches to keep advancing in the competition and agenda. The players were sharing the game moments with physiotherapy treatment, recovery area with ice bath, excellent F&B offer, good music and friends.
MATCHES TO REMEMBER
Both Pro Male Semifinals are matches to remember of this APPT Volvo Open. Both with a 3 sets comeback matches. In the first one, Pol Alsina (ES) and Eduard Altimires (ES) won Dani Bressel (ES) and Sergi Nogueras (ES) after losing the first set. The four Spanish players showed than padel is a combination of skills and physics, but the mental game plays a key role. As a result, the comeback of Pol and Edu was completed in a 6-3 third set and complete the 4/6, 6/3, 6/3.
In the second Pro Male Semifinal the emotion was even higher. Martin Noschese (AR) and Joseph Serra (PH) won Shungo Kusakabe (JP) and Tim Brown (AU) in a crazy match decided in by 8/6 in the tie break of the third set. As it couldn’t be different, drama also wanted to make his appearance in this match. In the final tie break, with match point for Martin and Joseph in the return, the second serve of Tim and Shungo team was, at least dubious. After the referee’s call, they repeated the point that went for the serving team, saving the march point and putting the 6 all in the scoring. Finally, Martin and Joseph won the match and faced Pol and Edu that were waiting for opponents in the finals.
In the final, Pol and Edu beat Martin and Joseph in a double 6/4.
The Pro Female Final was a battle for the position nº1 on the APPT Female Ranking. The Philippines Joanna Tao Yee Tan (PH) and Marian Capadocia (PH) faced the Japanese Nagomi Utsumi (JP) – Kotomi Ozawa (JP). They were 2 matches in one. While the first set was an intense and hard battle that went for the Philippines with a 7/5 result, the second one was a 6/1 for the same team. With that result, Joanna Tao Yee Tan keeps his nº1 position in the ranking. We’re sure there will be more battles between the Philippines and Japanese team where the emotion is assured.
The Amateur Mix Final with the local team Delia Arnold (MY) and Aidan Yunus (MY) against the Hong Kong players Hiu Wai Lau (HK) and Aziz Khan (HK) will be remembered as one of the best matches in the tournament. As it could not be another way, 3 sets with a 6/4, 3/6, 6/3 for the Padel+ team in a match in court 1 where the crowd was enjoying it in the maximum expression. Impossible and tricky shots by the former squash players Delia and Aidan were answered with smart and smooth movements for Debbie and Aziz. Fair play and talent recognizing talent was showing of during this match where all the spectators enjoyed real padel!
In the Amateur Female category, Rachel Mei Ling Yong (MY) and Martina Malmqvist (SE) defeated Mariam Yasmin Garsin (PH) and Maxine Sebastian (PH) in a 6/4, 7/6 march to crown Rachel as the first Malaysian player on winning an APPT. No better place to do it than at home!
The Amateur Male category will go directly to the APPT and Asian padel history for having the first Nepalese team on winning a tournament. Rojesh Rajbanshi (NP) and Mintuk Tamang (NP) beat the French team Timote Loew (FR) and Louis Vermersch (FR) in a 3 sets comeback final by 4/6, 6/3, 6/4.
The Pro Mix category Kotomi Ozawa (JP) and Kazuki Tomita (JP) from Japan beated the also Japanese team Yoshino Kushima (JP) and Tomoaki Murasawa (JP) in a 6/7, 6/3, 6/3 match.
AWARD CEREMONY AND JOY CELEBRATION AFTERPARTY
The celebration didn’t end with the trophies, as the JOY Celebration Afterparty at the same club provided a festive closing to the tournament. Participants, organizers, and fans enjoyed a night of music, drinks, and networking, fostering the spirit of sportsmanship and community that defined this year’s Volvo Open.
A GROWING LEGACY
The APPT Volvo Open Kuala Lumpur 2024 underscored its growing reputation as a multicultural and high-profile tournament. Supported by Volvo as the title partner, along with Head, CelcomDigi, and Wilson as gold partners and Directors Think Tank, Gazele, The Ice Bath Company, Zas, Royal Padel, Padel Cuddle the event seamlessly blended professional competition with cultural exchange, leaving a lasting impression on the international padel community.
With talent spanning continents and the Joy Division Padel facilities packed with fans, this year’s event exemplified padel’s appeal and growth across the Asia-Pacific region. As anticipation builds for next year’s tournament, the APPT Volvo Open – Kuala Lumpur 2024 already Set The Game!
#WeSetTheGame
