The tournament once again underlines padel’s status as one of the fastest-growing sports – not only in the Free State, but across South Africa and the globe. The competition is expected to feature many of the country’s top-ranked players. 

In the men’s division, the likes of Luan Krige, Egmond van Heerden, Richard Ashforth, Adam van Harte, Shaun Leagas and Joshua Deutschmann are all set to be in the mix, promising high-intensity clashes and plenty of flair on court.

Adam van Harte. Photo: Facebook

The women’s draw is just as competitive, boasting standout names such as Mikayla Plitt, Debbie van der Merwe, Marné Roos, Khosi Stewart, Zinel Parau and Imaan Hassim. It’s a clear reflection of the growing depth and quality in the women’s game, with no shortage of exciting match-ups expected throughout the weekend.

Tournament director Handri du Plessis told OFM Sport the team is ready to hit the ground running, with a real buzz building ahead of what promises to be a showcase event for the city.

“It’s all systems go here at the home of padel. This weekend, NetSet is set to deliver a spectacular tournament, and hosting a national event of this calibre is massive for Bloemfontein. We’ve got top players from around the country all coming together,” said Du Plessis.

“It shows that we’re no longer on the sidelines. We’re part of the national padel scene now, right in the thick of it, and we’re ready to attract the very best while continuing to grow the sport.”

She added padel’s rapid rise is helping to broaden Bloemfontein’s sporting identity beyond its traditional powerhouses.

“Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the country right now, and bringing top players to Bloemfontein is how we build it. It’s not just about rugby and cricket anymore – the city is becoming serious about padel, and we want to showcase both our venue and what Bloem has to offer.

Khosi Stewart. Photo: Instagram

“From our side, it’s about drawing more visitors to Bloem, boosting the local economy, and showing everyone what we’re all about. Even if the weather plays a part, we’ll adapt – the tournament will go on, the vibe will stay electric, and the competition will remain top-class.

“We invite everyone to come down to Ramblers this weekend. If you’re after a great atmosphere and top-quality padel, this is the place to be – you’ll see the best players in the country, along with strong local participation.”

Classified as a Super Gold 1500 tournament, the event carries a prize purse of R120,000, along with valuable national ranking points, ensuring fierce competition across multiple divisions. The Bloem Open starts on Friday and runs through to Sunday, setting the stage for an action-packed weekend of padel in the city.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm