Andy Murray is deepening his involvement in padel with the launch of Team AD/vantage.
The new team has been confirmed as the fourth franchise to enter the innovative new Hexagon Cup tournament, taking place in Madrid this coming February.
DMG Ventures last month announced its investment in the team padel tennis tournament, which boasts a €1million (£860,000) prize fund.
The former world number one tennis player and multiple grand slam champion, who has already made an investment in padel in the UK with Game4Padel, is partnering with AD Global Sports for his latest sporting venture
Padel is the world’s fastest growing global sport, with conversations increasingly moving towards it becoming a future Olympic sport.
Whilst the UK is a newcomer to the padel market, with around 300 courts nationwide, that number is expected to grow exponentially over the next five years.
Murray, Co-Owner of Team AD/vantage, said: ‘I’m excited to become part of the ownership group for a team in the inaugural Hexagon Cup. I invested in Game4Padel a few years ago to help try and grow the sport in the UK – it’s already huge in South America, the Middle East and parts of Europe.
‘I love the fact it’s easy to play, fun and social, so it will get people of all ages and abilities picking up a racket and giving it a go. I’m working with friends of mine at AD Global Sports, and together we’ll have fun over the next few years as we build a successful team and competition, while also helping grow the sport.’
Murray will help bring a new fan following to the tournament, which also counts the Rafa Nadal Academy by Richard Mille, RL9 by Barcelona footballer Robert Lewandowski, and a fan-led Hexagon Cup team as confirmed entries. Two final teams are being finalised and will be revealed next week.
In addition to Murray, Team AD/vantage will bring in other ambassadors from the sports and entertainment space to support the team and add a UK flavour to the Hexagon Cup team roster.
Team AD/vantage Co-Owner Arran Yentob commented: ‘The chance to be part of this exciting new tournament, with the team at the Hexagon Cup who we believe in, as well as reuniting Dani and Andy, was an opportunity we couldn’t resist, and that we hope will prove just as successful.’
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