Johannesburg, 24 February 2025| The inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational, held at Africa Padel in Brooklyn, Pretoria, proved to be a landmark event in South Africa’s sporting calendar. Over two competitive and exhilarating days, padel enthusiasts, celebrities, and spectators came together to celebrate the fastest-growing sport in the world.
The inaugural tournament featured an impressive lineup of celebrity players, including Amanda Dlamini, Arno Jordan, Ashwell Prince, Bongani Khumalo, Charl Mc Leod, Claudia Henkel, Iana Strydom, Jonathan Boyton-Lee, Juandre Kruger, Kuhle ‘Kooks’ Sonkosi, Layla Arrison, Mark Fish, Michael Morton, Mika Abrahams, Monique Kruger, Morné Steyn, Pat Lambie, Rob Forbes, Roxy Burger, Rumandi Potgieter, Sasha Martinengo, Schalk Brits, Shaun Bartlett, Siv Ngesi, Stanton Fredericks, Vanes Mari du Toit and Wynand Olivier.
The tournament not only showcased thrilling matches but also featured an array of engaging experiences – from live broadcasts by Jacaranda FM and silent auctions hosted by Aucor to interactive activities such as the Le Coq Sportif scent area, Sunbet games zone, Yoco chill pods, a Heineken bar, partner stands from Nordicdots and Kit Kat Cash & Carry, and convenient park-and-ride services provided by Chery to and from Brooklyn Mall.
In a nail-biting final match between celebrity contestants Jonathan Boynton-Lee and Siv Ngesi, the dynamic duo of Ryan Westerhof & Ludwig Gostmann emerged victorious, winning the main title of the inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational. Ryan and Ludwig clinched the title after buying in to the competition as competitors.
Reflecting on his win, Ryan Westerhof says “I had such a great time at The Sunbet Padel Invitational. My sister encouraged me to enter and suggested I ask Ludwig to be my partner. The atmosphere at the event was electric, so winning was a sensational feeling. Celebrating with nearly all the participants afterward was a phenomenal way to cap off a great weekend.”
Ludwig Gostmann adds “I’m thrilled and honoured to have won the inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational Tournament with my partner Ryan. I entered this tournament to challenge myself and test my skills against top competitors. Padel is a sport I am passionate about, and the camaraderie among participants and the enthusiastic support from spectators made this an unforgettable experience. Thank you to the organisers, my partner Ryan, my fellow competitors, and all the spectators for making this event so memorable.”
Legendary South African broadcaster and padel coach Sasha Martinengo and former Miss South Africa Claudia Henkel clinched the tier two title, showcasing their impressive skills and teamwork in a fiercely competitive bracket.
“What an adrenaline rush! I remember how elated I felt when I used to win tennis matches and trophies and winning this was exactly that feeling,” Claudia Henkel says. “I have only been playing padel for about two months so for Sasha and I to win made me fall in love with the sport even more. It was one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. The last time I had this much fun was when I won Miss South Africa!”
Sasha Martinengo adds “What a privilege to be a part of the inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational. It was so brilliantly organised, the tournament ran flawlessly and catching up with so many people from both the sporting and entertainment scene was really great. Being teamed up with former Miss South Africa Claudia Henkel and winning the second tier of the competition was exceptional. I am still shocked but I am absolutely thrilled. It was a magical event and congratulations to everybody involved!”
Reflecting on the success of the inaugural tournament, media personality and founder of The Sunbet Padel Invitational Kriya Gangiah says “The inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational exceeded our expectations and truly brought the spirit of padel to life. It was incredible to see sports, celebrity, and community come together in such a dynamic way.” She adds “Our vision was to create an event that not only highlights the athleticism and competitiveness of padel but also unites fans and celebrities under one roof. I’m so proud of our team and all the partners who made this event possible.”
Sunbet Head of VIP Ben Allworth adds “The energy at The Sunbet Padel Invitational was contagious, clearly proving that padel is here to stay as a major sport in South Africa. As headline sponsors, Sunbet is excited to be at the forefront of this movement, delivering unforgettable experiences for our VIP guests and fans. We’re excited about the future and the opportunities this event opens up for expanding our reach and engaging more with the community.”
The inaugural Sunbet Padel Invitational was a resounding success, setting a new benchmark for sporting events in South Africa. The combination of high-calibre competition, celebrity participation, and an array of engaging experiences has positioned the tournament as a must-attend event for padel enthusiasts and a catalyst for further growth in the sport.
The Sunbet Padel Invitational is proudly supported by Heineken, Jacaranda FM, Hi-Tec and Nordicdots.
For more information, visit www.padelinvitational.com.