Six years ago, he was the only one to have seen and believed in the potential of padel at the highest level in the world and embarked on a completely crazy adventure: organizing a major international tournament of padel in Belgium. He therefore decides to knock on the doors of ministers and other politicians with his somewhat crazy dream to unite leaders to his cause. Today, with his partner Nicolas Lhoist for three years, the third edition of Lotto Brussels Premier Padel becomes a national reference in the Belgian sporting landscape. “Padel was first a passion as was tennisbegins Vincent Laureyssens. Currently, padel keeps me busy twenty hours a day. Without padel, what would my life be?”asks the man who had been the boss of the brand and communication of the Sauber-Petronas F1 team.
This Thursday, the best players in the world will hit their first balls of 2024 on Belgian soil for the qualifications. Training for the world top 20 will take place at the magnificent Tour et Taxis padel club. From Tuesday April 23, the Gare Maritime will vibrate for six days to the sound of the world's finest rackets. The Galan, Chingotto, Lebron, Paquito, Belasteguin, Stupa, Coello, Tapia and other Sanchez or Josemaria from the world top 10 will all be present in Brussels.
The event has already made its way into the calendar. Popular success is there. The third part promises to be exceptional in more than one way.
At the very moment when work has started on the central court of the immense Gare Maritime, Executive President Vincent Laureyssens deciphers the issues and the new features of the third Lotto Brussels Premier Padel. The calm before the storm.
Vincent Laureyssens, Lotto Brussels Premier Padel has grown a lot in twelve months. What were the challenges of preparing for this Belgian sporting event?
”We have been busy on the tournament since September 2023; so, just after our Belfius Padel Summer Gala in Knokke. We had to overcome some major strategic challenges by partnering with the Tennis Padel Vlaanderen federation. In October, we received the confidence of Premier Padel who signed a three-year contract with us.”
Why does the international federation of padel (Fip) appreciate Brussels so much, which was one of the very first tournaments confirmed in the 2024 calendar?
”The leaders of the international federation appreciated seeing a private promoter working hand in hand with the federations. We have developed a very strict charter to be a 'green' or eco-responsible tournament. The players come from the airport to their hotel by train. They take shuttles with a hybrid Cupra. The Gare Maritime has achieved zero carbon footprint and is an example of an exemplary eco-responsible building.”
The sponsor that gives its name to the competition has changed. Was it easy to convince Lotto to enter the world of padel?
”With Lotto and Belfius, we have two of the five best Belgian sponsors. The presence of a Belgian day, a free n°2 court and a balance of men and women played a big role. Plus, we are in Brussels. More generally, we have renewed our contracts with our sponsors by adding certain major Belgian references such as Stella Artois (AB Inbev) or Cupra (Dieteren).”
What will be new for the 2024 edition?
”We have increased the capacity to reach 4,500 seats at the central office. Field number two, which is free, will be bordered by a stand. The animation in the village has been reinforced. We also worked with the famous chocolatier Ducobu who will sell a mini racket and its chocolate balls. I take this opportunity to say that he will make a surprise chocolate tribute that we will give to Fernando Belasteguin (Editor’s note: the Federer of padel) on the evening of his last match in Brussels. We will pay tribute to him for his immense career. We also created a new logo inspired by the Atomium since it is the only emblem that brings to mind Brussels and Belgium. We have also signed a historic agreement with RTL which will broadcast the finals on a major national channel.”
This year again, the best rackets in the world will be present in Brussels. For a tournament in the P2 category, it’s a great tour de force…
”Players can choose their tournaments. We immediately sought to position ourselves as one of the best tournaments in the world by welcoming players. The top 9 players in the world are accommodated at the Amigo 5* superior which is the most beautiful hotel in the country. The others reside at the President Hotel. In total, we have more than 700 nights to manage and 450 international players or staff to manage. We are in the P2 category which corresponds to an ATP 500 in tennis (Editor’s note: P1 = Masters 1000 and Masters = Grand Slam). If we look at the qualifications, starting this Thursday we will have the 150 best players in the world in Brussels. The prize money amounts to more or less 250,000 euros with 40,000 euros per winner.”
Forty thousand euros and… an artistic bronze racket worth 30,000 euros for maybe eight of them…
”Yes, the artist Glenn Bracke promised to offer an eighteen-kilogram bronze racket to the champions who won the tournament twice in three years. This year, eight are on the list: Lebron, Galan, Coello, Tapia, Triay, Salazar, Sanchez and Josemaria. I was chatting with Coello in Doha. He explained to me that he came to Brussels with the firm intention of bringing back the racket but as he is superstitious, he did not dare touch it.”
Why is the planet padel impatient to see the stars at work at the Brussels tournament?
”The show will be unique. You should know that the circuit was turned upside down by the end of the collaboration of Galan and LeBron, ex-world No. 1. Their breakup led to changes at the chain. We will therefore have new pairs among the best in the world. The Lebron-Paquito duo has been recomposed. It will be explosive given their characters. Chingotto and Galan are expected because they will be very strong. Bela will perform for the first time with Tello. They will all play together for the first time in Europe. They have already played in Acapulco and Venezuela. Moreover, Agustin Gutierrez confided that he was a little sad and bitter because of padel. These pair changes are often a psychological shock. No player is guaranteed to spend a season with his partner. The edition will also be unique because Brussels is hosting its first Premier Padel in Europe.”
The total budget amounts to two million euros. We will be in balance if we do not have too many unforeseen events.
Such a global event has a cost. What is the budget?
”We have a budget of two million euros. It will be in balance if we don't have too many unforeseen events. Our income comes mainly from ticketing, VIP, sponsorship and subsidies. For ticketing, we are counting on 55,000 to 60,000 spectators. We already have 70% of tickets sold. If you are looking for a good deal, buy tickets for Tuesday 23. You will see the Belgians and world stars for only fifteen euros with one free ticket per ticket purchased. We are confident. We will have 3,000 VIPs. Our sponsors, including Lotto and Belfius, bring us the sum of around 400,000 euros. In terms of expenses, we find the purchase of rights, the prize money (250,000 euros), the installation of the stands, the staff (500 people per day for ten days), hotels and transport.
We will accommodate the top 9 in the world in the best hotel in the country.
Will the list of personalities be as impressive as last year's?
”We have invited many great VIPs. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo will honor us with his presence for the first time; which is a huge recognition for us. He will be joined by other ministers such as David Clarinval, Sophie Wilmès, Ben Weyts, Valérie Glatigny, Mathieu Michel, Alexia Bertrand and Sven Gatz. We will also have big business bosses and major players in Belgian sport like Jean-Michel Saive and Pierre-Olivier Beckers without forgetting football players, television celebrities, athletes like Sabine Appelmans and Elke Clijsters. Our dream would be to be able to count on the presence of the King one day…”
Aren't there players who have certain whims?
”(Laughs) No ! They are really happy to be there. Lamperti always tells me he wants a 'single' room. Paola Josemaria, world number 1, loves Liège waffles. Ale Galan, former world number 1, is crazy about Belgian chocolates. I would end with an anecdote about my brother-in-law. He accompanied his wife last year without being really convinced. He didn't move from his seat for six hours, he was so transfixed by the show. This is also the reason for this tournament.”
Series1/5 here is what the padel costs for a new oneSeries 2/5 Clément Geens: “A season costs me 30,000 euros”Series 3/5 Ten tips to improve at padel
