Andy Murray may have stepped away from professional tennis two years ago, but the British sporting icon continues to make a significant impact in the world of elite athletics. Now dedicating more of his leisure time to padel than tennis, Murray, aged 38, has co-founded the Advantage Padel Team alongside heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. Their collaborative venture achieved a notable triumph this past Sunday, securing victory at the prestigious Hexagon Cup held in Madrid.
Celebrity Involvement and Tournament Highlights
Although Murray was unable to attend the final at the Caja Magica venue in person, he actively supported his team by posting a heartfelt good luck message to the players. Joshua, meanwhile, has maintained a relatively low profile in recent months following the tragic loss of friends in a car accident in Nigeria late last year. The event attracted other high-profile figures from the sports and entertainment worlds, underscoring padel's growing appeal among celebrities.
Star-Studded Attendance and Competitive Action
Former Manchester City, Argentina, and Barcelona football legend Sergio Aguero was present throughout much of the tournament week. Aguero, 37, had the honour of carrying the trophy onto the court before the final match, though his team ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat in the best-of-three encounter. Reflecting on the experience, Aguero expressed his gratitude, stating: 'I would like to thank the Hexagon Cup team, it has been a fantastic event. Last year we won, this year we didn't, but I also want to thank the whole team, our family, and all the fans for cheering us on all week.'
Real Madrid footballer Raul Ascencio was also spotted among the attendees, adding to the glamour of the occasion. The tournament's format features eight teams, bringing together the world's top professional players across men's, women's, and Next Gen categories to compete in a collaborative team setting.
Growing Interest from International Sports Figures
The Hexagon Cup has become a magnet for international sports personalities investing in padel, one of the fastest-growing sports globally. Current Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski leads the RL9 Padel Team, which secured a strong third-place finish. Team manager Tomasz Smokowski revealed Lewandowski's keen involvement, noting: 'Robert Lewandowski asks me about the results every day. Even yesterday, when we played in Elche, at 2:00 in the morning, he sent me a message asking what the score was. I told him to go to sleep because we had lost, but I also told him that today was another day and that we could win.'
Expanding Celebrity Ownership and Future Prospects
Beyond Murray and Joshua, other notable figures have entered the padel arena. Formula One driver Pierre Gasly and businessman Loic Fery own the 10 Padel Alpine team, while actress Eva Longoria is a part-owner of another squad named ElevenEleven. This influx of celebrity investment highlights the sport's burgeoning popularity and commercial potential.
Following the success of this year's event, tournament organisers are optimistic about expanding the Hexagon Cup's reach. Plans are underway to host the competition at multiple locations around the world more than once annually, capitalising on the sport's explosive growth. Aaron Yentob, co-owner of Team Advantage alongside Murray and Joshua, praised the players after the trophy presentation, saying: 'You smile, you fight, you give us these beautiful memories every year. I remember saying two years ago that you’re a family, we’re so grateful that you stuck with us and are here all together from 2024.'
As padel continues to attract top athletes and entertainers, its profile as a premier sport is set to rise even further, with events like the Hexagon Cup leading the charge in showcasing its competitive and communal spirit.
