The inaugural Anglo American Padel Cup concluded with Team USA edging out Great Britain in a fiercely contested showdown at Padel Hub North London. With 64 elite athletes competing across 48 matches, the event marked a new milestone in the sporting rivalry between the two nations. Team USA clinched the title with a final score of 53 to 43, sealing victory in the penultimate match of the weekend.
Momentum Shifts and Final-Day Drama
After a dominant opening day that saw the Americans lead 25–15, Team GB mounted a spirited comeback on day two. Early wins from mixed pairings Laura Jackson & George Weller and Alice Keddie & Rafa Vega narrowed the gap, and by the afternoon, Great Britain had surged ahead 37–35.
With only two matches remaining, the Cup was still undecided. Team GB needed both wins to overturn the deficit, but the Men’s 60 US pair Ron Bobman and Tom Bartzen delivered a crucial victory over Sandy Case and Minter Dial, securing the Cup for the United States.
A Spectacular Finale
Though the title had been claimed, the final match captivated the crowd. In the Women’s Open number two pairing, Dhany Quevedo and Antonella Santeusanio of Team USA triumphed over Alice Keddie and Victoria Nicholas in a 7-6, 7-6 thriller. The match featured dazzling shotmaking and drew roaring applause from both sides of the stands.
Founders Celebrate a New Era
Anglo American Cup co-founders Bill Ullman, Ben Nichols, and Joelle Quinn reflected on the success of the event. “Our congratulations to Team USA for winning the first ever Anglo American Padel Cup,” they said. “This event turned out to be many things—an extraordinarily exciting competition, a contest that added a new chapter to the historic sporting rivalry between the US and GB, and a showcase for the amazing padel talent developing in both countries.”
They also thanked partners Playtomic and Babolat for helping bring the vision to life, and praised the players who made history by committing to the inaugural edition.
Captains Reflect on the Experience
Team USA Women’s Co-Captains Ana Magrini and Lisa Teer expressed pride in their squad’s performance and the friendships forged. “We are so proud and honored to have competed as the US Women’s Co-Captains against Great Britain,” they said. “The Anglo American Padel Cup has set a new standard for how elite international padel competitions should be run.”
Team GB Men’s Open Captain Cameron Dollimore acknowledged the narrow defeat but looked ahead with optimism. “It’s been a massive honour to lead my country in this reincarnation of the historic Britain–American sporting rivalry,” he said. “The team got so close to a home victory, and the fact that it came down to the penultimate match speaks volumes about what the future holds for the sport in both countries.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Anglo American Padel Cup will return in 2026, with the United States hosting the next edition. As both nations continue to invest in padel, the competition promises to grow in stature and intensity, building on the success of its London debut.
