Global football legend Andriy Shevchenko and Ashes-winning England Cricket Captain Michael Vaughan have today been announced as the next two international sporting luminaries to join what promises to be a star-studded Padel Pro-Am at London’s iconic The Hurlingham Club in May 2024. 

Earlier this summer, The Padel Classic was announced as a Padel Pro-Am and corporate competition like no other, with two-time Ashes-winning England Cricket Captain Sir Andrew Strauss, and South African World Cup-winning Rugby Union legend, Bryan Habana, both of whom have recently become avid converts to padel, confirmed as the first two sporting names to headline the 15th - 16th May event. 

A Laureus Ambassador, Andriy Shevchenko is a football legend who needs little introduction. A heroic figure in his homeland of Ukraine - who earlier this month was appointed as an Advisor to President Zelensky - Shevchenko became known as one of the world’s most prolific strikers.  After hanging up his boots, he later became a politician and then a career in football management where he went on to manage Italian side Genoa from 2021 - 2022, and Ukraine, from 2016 - 2021, which included leading his country to a record quarter-final berth at the UEFA Euro 2020 where his side lost to eventual finalists England. 

Joining Shevchenko is fellow Laureus Ambassador, the storied former England Men’s Cricket Captain, Michael Vaughan OBE who made history in 2005, taking his country to Ashes Series victory against Australia after 18 years in which the famous urn was in Australian hands. An opening batter for his country, by the time of his retirement from professional cricket in 2009, he had amassed 5,719 test runs for his country which included 18 centuries and 18 half-centuries along the way. Since retiring from the crease, Vaughan has moved into cricket broadcastingr and, like Shevchenko, become an avid padel player and fan. 

Charlie Grave, Co-Founder of The Padel Classic, said: “We are delighted to have Andriy and Michael join our growing cast of sporting stars for the inaugural Padel Classic at the Hurlingham. There are few names better known from the world of football in the last 30 years than Andriy Shevchenko, and, in Michael Vaughan, we have not only our second cricketer announced for the Padel Classic, but one of England’s greatest sportsmen of the last three decades. 

“Now just over seven months away, The Padel Classic is shaping up to be an unmissable fixture in the sporting and social calendar for corporates, padel players and stars of  sport and entertainment. With The Hurlingham Club and Laureus Sport for Good alongside us, we are looking forward to bringing this first-of-its-kind event to London.”

“Padel is such an enjoyable, inclusive and engaging sport to play. We believe the opportunity to participate, mingle with and watch the celebrities and pros show us all how it’s done will provide the perfect cocktail for a day of entertainment.”

Andriy Shevchenko, Laureus Ambassador, said: “As any retired athlete will tell you, when you finish your professional playing days, you don’t lose the competitiveness that has spurred you on during your career, and for me, it’s been padel that I’ve turned my attention to in recent years. This is a hugely compelling sport and I am excited to be lining up against Michael and other former sportsmen and women at The Hurlingham Club in May. An event not to miss, I’m proud that The Padel Classic will raise funds to support Laureus Sport for Good, changing the lives of young people through the power of sport.”

Michael Vaughan, Laureus Ambassador, said: “Anyone that has seen me play sport lately knows that it’s less cricket and more padel – I’m a full, confessed padel convert and am delighted to be asked to join Andriy, Andrew and Bryan at The Hurlingham Club. The Padel Classic will not only be huge fun for those competing and watching, it will, most importantly, be an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for Laureus Sport for Good. I encourage everyone to book their ticket.”

Founded as a purpose-led event by investment, advisory and marketing group TTB Sport Capital and Laureus Sport for Good, the invite-only Padel Classic will be played over two days of English summer (15th - 16th May 2024) and combine a corporate padel challenge with a high-end networking event. The Padel Classic will feature celebrities, professional players and a select group of corporates and luxury brands vying for honours in a sport that is currently turning heads worldwide. The event is planned as the first of a global rollout of Padel Classic Pro-Am competitions in the years ahead. 

The strictly-by-invitation event will raise funds for Laureus Sport for Good, a global charity that supports programmes and organisations around the world that use the power of sport to help young people overcome violence, discrimination and inequality.  In 2022, Laureus Sport for Good supported 304 programmes across 42 countries and territories with funding, training, and other technical assistance. 

Padel is widely accepted as the fastest growing sport in the world and is currently taking the UK by storm. Originally established in Mexico in 1969, it is currently the number two sport in Spain after football and is on a fast upward trajectory throughout much of Europe, Asia and other regions worldwide. The sport is fashionable with celebrities and high net worth individuals ranging from David Beckham to Elle Macpherson, Sir Andy Murray to Serena Williams and Jurgen Klopp to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

With the countdown now on for the inaugural Padel Classic, further star names from across the world of professional sport and entertainment will be announced during the coming months.