Padel Pilipinas is making waves on the international stage as athletes Tao Yee Tan and Marian Capadocia, members of the National Padel Team, emerged victorious in the Female Pro Category of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Grand Slam 2024. Held in Singapore from October 3 to 6, this historic win marks the first time an all-Filipina duo has claimed the top spot in the APPT.

The Filipino pair triumphed in a thrilling match against the Japanese-Indonesian team of Kotomi Ozawa and Beatrice Gumulya with a final score of 6-2, 1-6, 7-5. Their journey to victory was marked by consistent and commanding performances throughout the tournament.

Path to Victory for Padel Pilipinas

Tan and Capadocia showcased their skills early on by defeating Russian pair Victoria Fedorova and Anastasiia Ryzhova in the quarterfinals with an impressive 6-2, 6-2 win. In the semifinals, they continued their winning streak by overcoming Natalia Oxley (Brazil) and Constanza Kokorelis (Portugal) with a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory, securing their place in the finals.

Reflecting on their incredible journey, Capadocia expressed her gratitude:

“I am so thankful for all the love, support, and encouragement from the Padel Pilipinas team and Play Padel Community during our finals match in APPT Singapore. A huge thank you to Senator Pia Cayetano, whose presence both on and off the court gave us strength. Facing the top seed was tough, but having such an incredible group of friends, family, and padel fans behind us made it an experience we will never forget.”

Capadocia further emphasized the importance of community:

“It takes a village to build a champion. The padel community, Senator Pia Cayetano, Sir Derrick Santos, Sir Duane Santos, and all the coaches and teammates – I truly felt that I had a village supporting me.”

Celebrating the Padel Pilipinas Family

Tan echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of the Padel Pilipinas community in their success:

“To the entire Padel Pilipinas community, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Whether you were watching live, sending messages, or cheering us on from afar, your energy kept us going throughout the tournament. We’re proud to represent you all.”

The team’s victory is especially remarkable considering their relatively short time playing padel. Padel Pilipinas Secretary General, Atty. Duane Santos, shared:

“They’ve both only been playing padel for a combined three years. Tao Yee for two years and Marian for less than one year. That makes this achievement even more amazing.”

Padel Pilipinas Head Coach Bryan Casao praised Tan and Capadocia’s dedication and preparation:

“Their training has paid off in the best way possible. They were mentally, emotionally, and physically ready. It’s not only a win for Padel Pilipinas but for the whole country.”

Padel Pilipinas’ Growing Impact

Padel Pilipinas, the official governing body for padel in the Philippines, is recognized by both the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). The team’s home padel court, Play Padel Mandaluyong, hosted a watch party for the finals, with Padel Pilipinas Founder Senator Pia S. Cayetano among those cheering the historic victory.

Senator Cayetano expressed her pride in Tan and Capadocia:

“I couldn’t be more proud of what they achieved – the first All-Filipina Champs in the APPT! This win inspires not only our country’s padel community but also the next generation of young girls watching this.”

The Future of Padel Pilipinas

The APPT Grand Slam 2024 victory is a significant milestone for Padel Pilipinas. Coupled with the national team’s silver finish at the Asia Pacific Padel Cup in Bali, Indonesia, it highlights the sport’s rapid growth in the Philippines and sets the stage for further international success.

With a commitment to grassroots development, talent identification, and player advancement programs, Padel Pilipinas continues to foster local talent while promoting the sport nationwide. As the sport of padel grows, Padel Pilipinas remains dedicated to representing the Philippines with excellence on the global stage.