MADRID, 10 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) and its 18 regional federations reject any “interference” by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in padel and ask for the “total independence” of both sports, after the world tennis entity commented the possibility of taking control of both under his single umbrella.
“The Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) has learned that the International Tennis Federation (ITF) discussed in its General Assembly, held on May 6, the possible modification of its statutes in order to grant it control and governance of the sport of paddle tennis at a global level,” the FEP said in a statement.
They say the ITF openly acknowledges that the proliferation of tennis-like disciplines is a “growing concern” for the promotion and preservation of tennis as the most established racket sport, and that it sent a letter to its national federations in April to encourage it as ” continue to take control” of padel in their countries.
In Spain, the FEP recalls –according to figures published by the CSD at the end of 2021– that paddle tennis has 96,543 licenses, compared to 80,318 for tennis; highlighting a higher percentage of female licenses (32.2% compared to 29.9% for tennis).
“We want to proclaim the total independence and separation of both sports modalities (paddle tennis and tennis) that have to be governed by independent and different federations, reiterate their full support and trust in the FIP as the international governing body of paddle tennis and reject any interference from the Federation International Tennis (ITF) in terms of padel”, pointed out the FEP.
In addition, they request the International Paddle Federation (FIP) to review the admission requirements for new members so that only Federations that are exclusively padel are admitted as members.
“We support the respectful cooperation between the FIP, the ITF and the national federations as governing bodies, separate and independent, of different sports: padel and tennis,” reads the statement.
Finally, the FEP also asks the national and regional sports authorities for their support so that paddle tennis continues to be a sport regulated by the paddle tennis federations (regional, national and international), maintaining its “absolute independence with respect to tennis”.