Di Gucci x Padel Invitational wey happen for Sydney Opera House on Friday don show say fashion and sport fit mix well well. Jessica Fox and Montana Cox ensure say style na di real winner as dem attend di event. Olympic champion Jessica, wey be 32 years old, look red hot for one striking scarlet coat wey get gold Gucci fastenings. Di canoe slalom star add playful flourish with colourful floral headscarf wey she wear over her glossy brunette waves.
She carry black quilted Gucci shoulder bag wey get di label’s red-and-green stripe, plus delicate jewellery and classic patent pumps. One glimpse of patterned skirt under her statement coat tie di whole look together. Jessica show say she dey high spirits as she pose beside di court, proving say she fit make splash even when no white water dey around.
Montana Cox, wey be Australia‘s Next Top Model winner, also 32, serve up different look for di harbour-side occasion. Di statuesque model put on leggy display for one oversized black leather blazer wey she wear as daring minidress. Di plunging neckline add to di outfit’s sultry appeal, while sheer tights and glossy black heels showcase her famous pins. She complete di all-black ensemble with structured Gucci handbag and wear her long brunette locks loose around her shoulders.
Elle Ferguson also ace di fashion brief for relaxed navy trouser suit. Di influencer wear oversized double-breasted blazer with flowing wide-leg trousers and sharply pointed black boots. She add recognisable Gucci flourish with black top-handle bag wey get signature green-and-red stripe. Hunter Reilly play am cool for glossy burgundy leather blazer wey he layer over all-black ensemble. Bambi Northwood-Blyth turn up di glamour for semi-sheer black lace minidress wey embellish with shimmering sequins. Thomas Cocquerel cut suave figure for sharply tailored navy suit.
Di gathering mark di beginning of major weekend for padel, di racquet sport wey dey sweep di globe. One purpose-built glass court don take over di Sydney Opera House’s Northern Broadwalk for di inaugural Padel Invitational wey dem stage on August 15 and 16. Di unusual venue offer players and spectators panoramic harbour views, but di glamorous guest list threaten to provide stiff competition.
Padel combine elements of tennis and squash and dem usually play am for doubles for enclosed court, with glass walls remaining part of di action. More than 38 million people now play di game across over 170 countries, according to International Padel Federation. Gucci, wey get deep-rooted heritage for tennis dating back to 1970s, don bring im distinctive codes to di fast-growing sport. Di House host exclusive exhibition match to celebrate di Padel Invitational, presented by UBS.
Australian tennis royalty Ash Barty and Pat Rafter go headline Saturday’s Celebrity 1 Point Padel competition. Di sudden-death format go also feature actors, Olympians, sporting identities and international padel professionals, with each match decided by single frantic point. Rafter say he don develop genuine passion for di sport and he happy to join Barty for di spectacular temporary court. ‘E go be amazing spectacle and a lot of fun,’ he talk.
Rafter also reveal say media mogul Kerry Packer get connection to padel for Australia. ‘You know who put one padel court in? Kerry Packer for di ’80s. But back then, because he was so big into polo, all di polo players were Argentinians. Di best players for di world na Argentinians and Spanish. He build court for im place up for Palm Beach for di ’80s. And back then, e be concrete walls and concrete ground. So e very different. He build one for dem so dem fit play am. That na Kerry Packer – he build am for im mates,’ Rafter explain.
Rafter admit say padel don get several false starts for Australia, but he believe say di timing finally right. He talk say Henri Leconte come out here at least 10 years ago but nobody interest. ‘But e funny, you ahead of your time, you too far ahead and people no go take am. And that’s what don happen for long time. E no work,’ he say. Today, Tennis Australia don embrace padel alongside pickleball, as e look to build broader family of racquet sports.
Rafter, wey be padel’s biggest advocate, also weigh in on whether elite tennis stars fit transition to padel. ‘Oh, e very different. None of dem. You can’t just drop over. E be like say, “Alright, you fit play great racquet sport, I go put you for squash court.” E no work. So Alcaraz, I think he get great hands. He know how to play small. But you put am against di top guys, he no go win game. He fit get di best partner for di world, and dem still go probably lose love and love because dem go go to am di whole time. So he go need wait. E no go happen straight away. Nobody go make that transition. E too different a sport,’ Rafter declare.
Looking ahead to Brisbane 2032, many new sports dey eye di possibility of being included for Olympics. Rafter believe say padel go soon be for Olympic program. ‘Yes. E go happen. Whether e happen for Brisbane or for di next one, e no matter. Because there was 17,000 for one event for Buenos Aires, at one match. So people dey watch. For six years’ time, dis sport go be big here for Australia. I think e actually di perfect time to put am for inside,’ he talk.
