Community Spotlight:
International Senior
Padel Tour
- Published: 28th March, 2026
- Worldwide
- Community
- 5-min read
From a 6-0 6-0 defeat to 54,000 players across 60 countries
In 1986, Roque Roasio was a competitive tennis player in Córdoba, Argentina. When his club started building a padel court, he told the owner he was crazy – why not build another tennis court instead? Nobody in the city knew what the sport was. There were nine padel players in the whole of Córdoba.
Then a local tournament with prize money was announced. Roasio and his tennis doubles partner entered, confident their racket skills would carry them through. They lost their opening match 6-0 6-0. By Monday, Roasio was training padel. He never picked up a tennis racket again.
Competition, tourism, and a beer after the match
The idea for ISPT first took shape in 2010, but the conditions to launch it did not exist yet. The concept grew from a simple observation: senior players wanted international competition, but existing circuits only catered to the top pairs. Roasio wanted something where everyone could participate.
ISPT is built on three pillars. The first is competition – because everyone who plays padel wants to test themselves. The second is tourism – tournaments are held in popular cities, with organised visits to local landmarks for all players. The third, and the one Roasio considers most important, is the after-match experience.
“If you beat me 6-0 6-0, that’s fine – but buy me a beer and let’s chat,” he says. “We always host a party one night and gather every day after matches.”
ISPT rewards more than just winners. Players are recognised for integrating with competitors from other countries, for conceding the fewest games, and – notably – for having the most fun at after-match events.
Shortly after, the first padel tournament with prize money was held, and my tennis doubles partner and I signed up thinking we'd win it easily. We lost 6/0-6/0 in the first match. On Monday, I started training padel and never played tennis again.
From 220 pairs in Argentina to 23 countries
The first ISPT tournament took place in Argentina in 2018, initially with only Argentine players. A second event followed immediately with participants from across South America – 220 pairs entered. That was enough to confirm the demand. In 2019, ISPT went international with four European tournaments in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
Growth continued steadily. By 2024, the circuit had reached 24 international tournaments across 23 countries and more than 250 local events. For 2025, Roasio made a deliberate decision to cap international tournaments at 15 per year while maintaining over 250 local events across more than 60 countries, each run by a local representative.
The operation remains remarkably lean. ISPT has run without sponsors from the beginning – five volunteers handle everything, supported by one salaried secretary based in a global office in Uruguay. Roasio still personally answers the WhatsApp enquiries that come through the tour’s Instagram page, directing players to their country’s representative for local details.
“Over 54,000 senior players have participated in ISPT tournaments so far,” Roasio says. “I’ve played padel in more than 50 countries, so achieving this when there were only nine players in my city back in 1986 is something special.”
Undoubtedly, the best achievement has been the community we've built—over 54,000 senior players have participated in ISPT tournaments (international or local) so far. I've played padel in more than 50 countries, so achieving this when there were only nine players in my city back in 1986 is truly incredible.
What comes next
The immediate priority is finding the right long-term sponsor – one that aligns naturally with what ISPT has built and that people associate directly with the brand. Roasio and his team have invested significant personal funds to reach this point, and the infrastructure is now in place.
If that partnership materialises, ISPT has plans for something Roasio describes as unlike anything another padel circuit has attempted. He is keeping the details close for now. If it does not, the path stays the same: more countries, more players, and 15 international tournaments that put competition, culture, and community in equal measure.
Written by Jamie Rowe
World Padel Network
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