The inaugural PADEL BEST EXPO, organized by the Italian company BSG, proved to be a resounding success, captivating audiences and fulfilling its promise as a premier event in the world of padel. Held from April 7-9 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the expo brought together enthusiasts, professional players, and distinguished guests for an unforgettable three-day celebration of this dynamic and accessible sport. The expo showcased the latest trends, equipment, and innovations in padel while also providing a platform for networking, competition, and knowledge sharing. Attendees could explore a diverse array of padel-related products and services, ranging from cutting-edge rackets and court technologies to apparel and accessories. 

A key feature of Padel Best Expo was its commitment to fostering a sense of community and promoting the sport’s values of inclusivity, teamwork, and fair play. 

“The Padel Best Expo is a major exhibition dedicated to Padel, organised in the exceptional setting of the Principality of Monaco, an area bordering on the French market… which is recording significant figures for the development of the sport and the number of registered players” – Roberta Ceccarelli, CEO of BSG.

The event kicked off with an impressive opening ceremony, attended by notable figures such as Monaco’s Secretary of State, Yvette Lambin-Berti, Louis Ducruet, President of the Barbagiuans of Monaco, and Mathilde Le Clerc, President of the National Council’s Education, Youth, and Sport Committee, Andriy Shevchenko, former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko (football), winner of the 2004 Golden Ball… Ambassador for “Football for Ukraine” foundation.

“I’m delighted that the Barbagiuans are taking part in this prestigious event, in the presence of a host of celebrities. With the Padel Best Expo, the Italian company BSG has created a sporting event that conveys an important message of inclusion and solidarity. Essential values that Barbagiuans hold dear. Padel is a fast-growing sport. Hosting such an international event in Monaco is a real opportunity to continue its development in the Principality.” – Louis Ducruet, President of the Barbagiuans of Monaco.

 Representatives from FIGHT AIDS MONACO, including Christine Barca and Hervé Aeschbach, were also present throughout the event, emphasizing the philanthropic aspect of the expo. A portion of the funds raised was designated for FIGHT AIDS MONACO, a charity founded and chaired by H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie and “Football for Ukraine” foundation. 

“Taking advantage of major sporting events to get health messages across is a great way of reaching a wide audience. Associating the values of solidarity with the image of such celebrities goes a long way towards getting these messages across.” – Hervé Aeschbach, coordinator of FIGHT AIDS MONACO.

Dynamic Padel Competitions

The expo featured several temporary padel courts, with one positioned at the main entrance of the Grimaldi Forum and three others in the Espace Ravel, the central venue for exhibitions and tournaments. These courts hosted a range of competitive events, showcasing the sport’s versatility and attracting a diverse audience.

The FIP RISE MONACO professional tournament, part of the CUPRA FIP TOUR 2024, was one of the highlights. The preliminary rounds took place at the Indomitus club in Laghet, while the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final were held at the Grimaldi Forum. Spaniards Daniel Santigosa and Guillermo Collado emerged as champions, solidifying their dominance in the CUPRA FIP TOUR 2024.

The FIVE PADEL CUP also drew significant attention, with five separate competitions catering to various groups: clubs, young people, women, wheelchair padel, and sports VIPs. This unique approach celebrated the sport’s inclusivity and universal appeal. The VIP sports tournament featured well-known athletes like Andriy Shevchenko, Fabio Cannavaro, and Dario Marcolin, providing a thrilling spectacle for fans.

The competition was intense, with two teams from the Barbagiuans of Monaco reaching the finals. In the end, Manuel Vallaurio and Jordan Klein clinched the title, giving the Barbagiuans another trophy to add to their collection.

The Barbagiuans @barbagiuansmonaco

The “Barbagiuans of Monaco” team, originally known as Munegu Autu, has become a significant part of Monaco’s sporting scene. Founded in 1980, it began as a group of close friends of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, organizing small-scale friendly games.

Over the years, the team’s scope and ambitions expanded. Key figures in Monegasque football, like Henri Biancheri, joined in the late 1980s, along with other notable players like Delio Onnis and Jean Petit. With their contributions, the team gained credibility and received invitations to play internationally.

In 2000, the Barbagiuans embraced a new tradition by holding matches during major Monaco events, most notably the annual game against a circus team during the Monte-Carlo Circus Festival. This led to increased visibility and recognition.

In 2010, modern football icons like Didier Deschamps, former AS Monaco coach, joined the team, adding further prestige. By 2020, the Barbagiuans launched the Fight Aids Cup, a charity match pitting Louis Ducruet’s team against that of his mother, H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie. The event raises funds for the Fight Aids Monaco association, founded by Princess Stéphanie.

Today, the Barbagiuans are primarily composed of former Monegasque football stars who are dedicated to Monaco’s charitable values, ensuring that the team remains a respected fixture in the principality’s sporting and philanthropic community.

“Winning the 2024 Padel Best Expo ‘Champions & Business Padel Cup’ with Manuel Vallaurio was a fantastic surprise,” Jordan Klein shared, beaming with excitement. “Last year, we lost in the final, so this year, we were really determined to bring the trophy back for the Barbagiuans. It couldn’t have been a better final, as both Barbagiuans teams were in it.”

Reflecting on the tournament, Jordan emphasized the challenge and the enjoyment of the match. “We played a very long and fun match against Gaël Givet and Sébastien Squillaci,” he said, adding, “So, congratulations to them for reaching the final.”

Jordan didn’t hesitate to express his admiration for the event. “First of all, I want to congratulate Roberta Ceccarelli and the whole Padel Best Expo team for such great organization and for creating this padel sport event,” he said. “I’ve been playing padel for around seven years, and I’ve always dreamed of seeing the sport gain more ground in Monaco. Being part of this amazing event at such an iconic venue is a dream come true.”

He highlighted the significance of the event in promoting the sport. “I believe this event will continue to grow and help bring more attention to padel and the different ways to play it,” he continued. “It was amazing to see these five categories sharing the same padel fields during the event, supporting each other, and building connections with such incredible and inspiring people.”

Jordan’s journey with padel began over a decade ago, but it took some time for the sport to gain traction in France. “I first came across padel about twelve years ago, but it was so new in France that there weren’t enough players for me to keep playing,” he explained. “Then, seven years ago, my father invited me to play with some friends at the Tennis Padel Soleil club in Beausoleil. Since that day, I’ve been completely hooked—like so many others.”

What drew him to padel was its social aspect. “The thing that inspired me to start playing padel is that it’s a very social sport and easy to start having fun and making long points with friends,” Klein said. “This sport encompasses many different and important life values, such as partnership, communication, and support.”

Jordan concluded by expressing gratitude to Monaco for hosting such a significant event. “It’s an immense honor as a Monégasque to represent the Barbagiuans team, chaired by Louis Ducruet,” he said. “I also appreciate the opportunity to help FIGHT AIDS MONACO raise awareness about HIV and receive more donations to support the foundation’s members.”

Gala Evening and Closing Ceremony

The expo culminated in a lavish gala evening at TWIGA, Monaco, where attendees gathered for a trophy ceremony and recognition of the contributions made by FIGHT AIDS MONACO and FOOTBALL FOR UKRAINE. The latter organization, with Andriy Shevchenko as its ambassador, also received a portion of the funds raised during the expo.

Roberta Ceccarelli, CEO of BSG/PADEL BEST EXPO, and Dario Marcolin, Networking Manager for PADEL BEST EXPO, expressed their enthusiasm for the successful debut and shared their vision for the event’s future in Monaco. They emphasized the importance of community, inclusivity, and the growing appeal of padel as a sport for all.

With the first edition hailed as a success, the organizers have already announced the next PADEL BEST EXPO for 2025. The event promises to continue its trajectory of growth, attracting an even broader audience and further cementing Monaco’s position as a vibrant hub for the padel community.