Tennis Australia Press Release, December 7, 2024
Former world No.1, US Open champion and Australian of the Year Pat Rafter is set to highlight one of the world’s fastest-growing racquet sports, Padel, in a series of professional tournaments this January.
Rafter will compete in pro events in Sydney and Melbourne, culminating in the highly anticipated Red Bull Rally Pro at the Australian Open’s dynamic TOPCOURT precinct.
“As a competitor, I’ve always loved testing myself against the best, and that’s exactly what we’ll see at the Australian Open this year,” Rafter said.
“Padel is such an exciting sport—it’s fast, dynamic, and a real crowd-pleaser. I’m thrilled to see the world’s best Padel players coming down to Australia to show off their skills. It’s not just a great chance for me to step up and give it a crack but also an awesome opportunity for Aussie fans to experience the sport at its absolute peak. I reckon people are going to love it, and I can’t wait to be part of it all.”
Padel will take centre stage at AO 2025 in the Red Bull Rally Padel Arena, located at Middle Terrace’s vibrant TOPCOURT precinct. Fans can watch the world class pros in action and step into the unique four-walled court to try Padel themselves.
TOPCOURT will be the ultimate destination for Padel enthusiasts this summer, with professional exhibition matches showcasing the athleticism, precision, and excitement of the sport. Beyond
Padel, TOPCOURT will amplify the fan experience with immersive gaming, play zones, live music, a glow up bar, great food, and more.
Padel’s doubles-based format and fast-paced rallies have made it a global sensation, now boasting more than 20 million players worldwide, including notable enthusiasts like F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and Prince William.
“Padel is rapidly growing around the world, and we’re excited to provide more opportunities for Australians to get involved at AO 2025,” Tennis Australia Chief Tennis Officer Tom Larner said.
“Our mission is to make racquet sports accessible to everyone, and with the expanded Padel offering at the AO, we’re giving fans of all ages and skill levels the chance to pick up a racquet and experience the excitement of this fast-paced sport.”
In another Grand Slam first, AO 2025 will also feature other popular racquet sports Pickleball and POP Tennis.
The AO Pickleball Slam (January 24–26) will see top international players compete for a major prize pool, with fan play sessions taking place during finals weekend.
POP Tennis, known for its fast-paced, small-court action, will also make a splash at TOPCOURT.
Experience the evolution of racquet sports at AO 2025—where fun, fitness, and community come together for an unmissable summer celebration.
Padel calendar of events:
- Australian Padel Open: 2-5 January , Sydney
- Melbourne Padel Open: 8-12 January, Melbourne
- Red Bull Rally Pro: 17-19 January, Red Bull Rally Padel Arena TOPCOURT
