The Argentine summer sun blazed over Mar del Plata's Polideportivo Islas Malvinas as the Betsson Summer Pro Padel 2026 kicked off with a spectacular opening day. The unique team format brought together legends and current stars in a three-day exhibition that's quickly becoming one of Argentina's premier summer sporting events.

Match 1: The Legend Returns

Juan Martín Díaz / Paquito Navarro def. Miguel Lamperti / Jon Sanz

6-3, 6-7, 6-3

The opening match delivered everything fans hoped for: drama, skill, and a reminder that class is permanent. Juan Martín Díaz, the retired legend widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the sport, proved that muscle memory doesn't fade. Partnering with Spanish star Paquito Navarro, Díaz showed flashes of the brilliance that kept him at world number one for 16 consecutive years.

Miguel Lamperti and Jon Sanz pushed back hard in the second set, forcing a tiebreak with aggressive net play and forcing Díaz to dig deep into his defensive arsenal. The intensity of Sanz's play drew roars from the crowd as he repeatedly challenged the legendary left-hander.

But champions find another gear when it matters. In the decisive third set, Díaz and Navarro clicked into rhythm. Navarro's trademark bandeja combined perfectly with Díaz's court positioning—a master class in partnership that left the younger opponents scrambling. The 6-3 final set score flattered Lamperti and Sanz; the match felt more dominant than the numbers suggest.

Match 2: Current Stars Deliver Statement

Federico Chingotto / Franco Stupaczuk def. Juan Lebrón / Momo González

Straight Sets Victory

If the first match was about nostalgia, the second was pure contemporary excellence. Federico Chingotto and Franco Stupaczuk—both firmly in the world's top 5—delivered a clinic against the Spanish pairing of Juan Lebrón and Juan Jerónimo "Momo" González.

Chingotto's defensive prowess has become the stuff of legend on the Premier Padel tour, and he showcased why in Mar del Plata. Time and again, shots that seemed destined to be winners came back from impossible angles. Paired with Stupaczuk's explosive power, the Argentine duo controlled the match from the opening game.

Lebrón, himself a former world number one, couldn't find his usual rhythm. The slower Argentine conditions seemed to favor the home favorites, who read the coastal humidity perfectly and adjusted their game accordingly. González fought valiantly, but the evening belonged to the Argentines.

The Atmosphere and the Stakes

The Polideportivo Islas Malvinas buzzed with an electric energy rarely seen outside Premier Padel's biggest stages. Tennis legend Gabriela Sabatini was spotted courtside, bringing star power that transcended padel. Argentine President Javier Milei's administration sent representatives, while Daniel Scioli, president of INPROTUR (Argentina's tourism board), attended in an official capacity—a sign of padel's growing importance to Argentine sports tourism.

Former race car drivers Christian Ledesma and Marcos Siebert mingled with current and former padel professionals, creating a cross-sport atmosphere that highlighted padel's mainstream appeal in Argentina. This isn't just a padel tournament—it's a social event that's capturing Argentina's imagination.

Team Format Creates Unique Drama

The Betsson Summer Pro Padel employs a team format with two squads of seven players each competing over three days. Team #1 leads 2-1 after the opening day, but with two days of competition remaining, nothing is decided.

This format creates fascinating dynamics. Unlike traditional tournaments where individual pairs compete for themselves, players here must balance personal performance with team strategy. Do you go all-out in every match, or conserve energy for crucial later battles? The strategic element adds a layer of intrigue that keeps fans guessing.

Looking Ahead to Day 2

With Team #1 holding a narrow advantage, Day 2 promises escalating tension. The question on everyone's mind: Can Díaz maintain his form across multiple matches? At his age, stamina becomes a factor even for a legend of his caliber.

Meanwhile, Chingotto and Stupaczuk have sent a message to the tour: even in exhibition format, they're here to dominate. Their victory wasn't just about winning—it was about asserting their status as genuine threats to Coello and Tapia's throne in 2026.

As Mar del Plata settles in for another summer night, the buzz around the tournament continues to build. The Betsson Summer Pro Padel has established itself as more than just off-season entertainment—it's becoming a genuine showcase for the sport's past, present, and future.