Emirati, 25, insists he and Argentine partner Julian Lacamoire can clinch glory at inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament as he looks to become one of world’s best by 2028
Al Janahi returns to the Emirates after playing his part for the UAE National Team that finished fifth at last week’s FIP World Padel Championships in Qatar
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 5 November 2024: Ambitious UAE wildcard Fares Al Janahi has vowed to ‘cause damage’ alongside doubles partner Julian Lacamoire at the inaugural Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament as the pair prepare for their first-round match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium tonight.
Emirati Al Janahi and Argentine Lacamoire face Spanish duo Mario Huete Hernandez and Francisco Miguel Ramirez Navas on Centre Court in the final match on Day 3. Al Janahi – who has made a successful transition from tennis to padel – insists he and his partner are here this week with only one objective – to go all the way.
“That’s the goal, to win this tournament,” the 25-year-old who played in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships main draw in 2020, said. “As a player, that’s all I ever want to do: Win. Even if the possibilities are stacked against us, Julian and I are confident we are going to cause some damage in this tournament.”
Al Janahi heads into the competition in confident fashion having been part of the UAE team that secured an impressive fifth place finish at the FIP World Padel Championships in Qatar earlier this month. He says the Qatar experience, as well as this week’s historic first Premier Padel tournament in Dubai, will set him in good stead to understand his current level as he continues to battle towards his goal of becoming one of the best men’s padel players by 2028.
“I set this target last year and it hasn’t changed. I said five years as I wanted to be realistic and give respect to the players because I know how much work you must put in to reach the top. Last week was a good indicator, as I played in the FIP World Padel Championships and we [UAE] got fifth place. That’s the first time an Arab and Asian country has achieved that. I still need more work, but the Dubai Premier Padel P1 will be another good measure to see where I’m at.”
Dubai’s week-long padel spectacle is organised by Gallop Global and features the world’s top male and female players competing for a prize pool of Dh1.8 million. Al Janahi insists the tournament is another sign of the sport’s incredible growth in the region, with 155 clubs, 620 courts affiliated, and more than 1,900 registered players under the United Arab Emirates Padel Association.
“It’s a major tournament with big organisers, so it’s a pleasure being one of the UAE players featuring in the tournament. It’s a great feeling for sure,” he added. “In terms of the place itself, Dubai is a fantastic city and event-wise we have one of the best venues in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, overlooking Dubai Creek.
“For the past two years, it’s clear that the Dubai padel community has grown so much. Seeing padel here now featuring on the biggest stage, especially for someone like myself who originally had a tennis background and has played in the same stadium, is a huge thing for the sport.”
The week-long tournament, which will take place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, is a collaborative effort supported by the UAE Padel Association (UAEPA), the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Sports Council (DSC), Premier Padel, and Gallop Global.
