Fuelled by national pride and a commitment to advancing the sport of padel in the UAE, Emirati star Fares Al Janahi is primed for success at the Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament.
Set to play alongside his doubles partner, Argentine Julian Lacamoire, the 25-year-old aims to make his mark on the sport’s growing stage and continue his journey to becoming one of the world’s top players by 2028.
Al Janahi and Lacamoire will face Spanish competitors Mario Huete Hernandez and Francisco Miguel Ramirez Navas in what promises to be a thrilling first-round match at Dubai’s prestigious Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Al Janahi, a former tennis player, has made a seamless transition to padel, driven by his relentless ambition and confidence in their potential. “Winning this tournament is our goal,” he said. “Julian and I are ready to cause some damage here. That’s what I play for – to win.”
This optimism comes on the heels of Al Janahi’s recent success at the FIP World Padel Championships in Qatar, where he helped the UAE National Team secure a fifth-place finish – the highest-ever rank for an Arab and Asian country in the tournament’s history. For Al Janahi, this victory reflects the hard work and determination required to rise to the top, with the Dubai Premier Padel P1 offering yet another chance to gauge his growth.
The Dubai Premier Padel P1, organized by Gallop Global, is part of an exhilarating week-long event that brings the world’s best padel players to the UAE. With a prize pool of AED 1.8 million, the tournament signifies padel’s meteoric rise in Dubai and the broader GCC region. The sport has rapidly grown in the UAE, with over 155 affiliated clubs, 620 courts, and more than 1,900 registered players under the UAE Padel Association.
As Al Janahi notes, this growth is a testament to Dubai’s commitment to sports excellence. “Dubai’s padel scene has developed so much, especially over the last two years,” he said. “For someone with a tennis background like mine, competing in such a venue – where I once played tennis – is huge. The support for padel here is amazing, and being one of the UAE players in this tournament is an incredible feeling.”
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Premier Padel P1 is a joint venture supported by the UAE Padel Association, Dubai Sports Council, Department of Economy and Tourism, and Premier Padel. Tickets, starting at AED 60, are available at PlatinumList.net, offering fans an opportunity to witness world-class competition and support the UAE’s rising talent.
As Al Janahi continues his journey, he is also paving the way for aspiring Emirati athletes, inspiring others with his passion and drive. His determination to bring home the title and his goal of international success by 2028 underscore his commitment to both the sport and his country. For those who attend this historic event, Al Janahi’s presence on the court is sure to be a highlight in the evolution of Dubai’s padel scene.
