Dlal Al-Fares, the Kuwaiti padel player, and Elena Bastante (Elena Bastante de Tomás), her Spanish teammate, described their participation in the Premier Padel Kuwait Major as an unforgettable experience, even though they could not achieve their desired results on the court. For Dlal Al-Fares, this tournament was her first experience in a Premier Padel event and an opportunity to compete at a higher level and gain experience against international players.
An Unmatched Experience for Dlal Al-Fares
Dlal Al-Fares, who has previously been a member of the Kuwaiti national padel team, stated: "This is a very beautiful experience. I am very lucky to be a part of it. This is a new level and a big step forward. The players are on another level." Despite her dissatisfaction with her performance, Al-Fares expressed hope that this experience would help her improve in future competitions and said: "Although I couldn't perform as I wanted, this is an important experience."
Read more: Anthony Boutier led Vence to their first victory of the season in the Top 14 league
Progress in the World of Padel
Dlal Al-Fares started playing padel in late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, having no prior background in tennis or other racquet sports. She quickly reached the national level and was able to represent Kuwait in international competitions. This player expressed gratitude for the support from Ali Al-Ghanem and other sponsors, saying: "I am very grateful for the opportunity to compete in this tournament."
Elena Bastante, Dlal's Spanish teammate, also expressed her happiness about her experience in this event, stating: "This is an amazing and unique experience. I never thought I would participate in such an event. The organization of this tournament is outstanding, and the location is very attractive." Bastante, who has been living in Kuwait for nearly five years, expressed satisfaction with her life in the country and her connection with its people, saying: "The people here are wonderful and very friendly, and the food is also very delicious."
Support from Spectators and the Future of Competitions
Both players expressed gratitude to the spectators who attended the competitions and supported them. Dlal Al-Fares mentioned that her friends and family supported her and urged fans to come watch other matches: "Thank you for coming, and please come for other games as well." Elena Bastante also thanked the organizers and spectators, describing the event as memorable and saying: "I am very grateful for this experience."
The Premier Padel Kuwait Major is part of an international professional circuit governed by the International Padel Federation (FIP). This tour includes competitions for both men and women and brings together top players from around the world. The tournament features various categories, including Majors, P1, and P2, with Majors having the highest ranking. The Kuwait Major will take place from October 23 to 31, 2026, at The Arena Kuwait and Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait, with a total prize pool of €1,044,849, making it a significant opportunity for competition. The final of this tournament is scheduled for October 31.
Read more: Kuwait's Minister of Youth and Sports discussed collaborations with the Italian Ambassador · Kuwait garnered support from 111 countries for the draft resolution of the Atomic Energy Agency
