Kuwaiti padel player Fouad Behbehani and his Spanish partner Luis Sempere Ortega reflected on their experience competing at the Kuwait Major Premier Padel tournament, describing it as a significant milestone in their professional careers despite their early exit from the competition.
The duo, who have developed a close training partnership at Ocean Padel in Kuwait, competed in the men’s qualifying round on Friday, where they were defeated 6-1, 6-1 by Ignacio Archieri and Pablo Sanchez Vicente. While the loss was decisive, both Behbehani and Sempere Ortega expressed appreciation for the chance to participate in such a high-profile event held in Kuwait.
For Behbehani, playing in front of a home crowd added a special dimension to the tournament. “It’s an amazing feeling playing in your home country with your crowd,” he said, acknowledging the support of local spectators. He also thanked sponsors BNK and Ali Alghanim & Sons for their backing, which included awarding him a wild-card entry into the event. The Kuwaiti player described the tournament as an important experience and welcomed Kuwait’s role as host of a Major Premier Padel competition, noting the sport’s growth in the region.
His partner, Sempere Ortega, who has lived in Kuwait for two years, shared mixed feelings about their performance. “I go with a strange feeling because I think we could have done a little bit more,” he said. Nevertheless, the Spanish player praised the organization and atmosphere of the tournament, calling it one of the best on the season’s circuit. He also spoke positively about his experience living in Kuwait, highlighting the hospitality and quality of life.
The partnership between Behbehani and Sempere Ortega began nearly two years ago when the Spanish player joined Ocean Padel. They have trained together regularly and previously competed as partners in another tournament. The collaboration stems not only from shared professional goals but also from a personal friendship. “We play almost every day together and we train in the same place. So we know each other,” Sempere Ortega said.
Behbehani shared insights into his sporting background, noting that he transitioned from tennis to padel after training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Kuwait and being involved with Kuwait’s national tennis team. Observing the rising popularity of padel and limited tennis opportunities motivated his switch to the emerging sport, which he embraced quickly.
Looking ahead, Behbehani aims to improve his international ranking while maintaining his enjoyment of padel. “My plan is to reach the best possible ranking I can reach and to be the best player I can reach by enjoying the sport, most importantly,” he said.
Despite their early elimination, both players expressed gratitude for the experience and the support shown by the local fans. Behbehani concluded by expressing hope for increased participation and greater success in future editions of the event.