Salazar's Last Dance: Madrid P1 Qualifying Starts Today

Qualifying Begins Today: The Countdown to Salazar's Farewell

The fifth edition of the Comunidad de Madrid Premier Padel P1 by Oysho gets under way today, August 29, with qualifying rounds at Pro Padel Coslada in Madrid. Three days of pre-qualifying action — through August 31 — will determine which additional pairs earn entry to the main draw. The main draw itself moves to the Movistar Arena from September 1 to 6, completing what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged weeks in the history of Spanish padel.

The reason is straightforward: this tournament will be the last professional event in the career of Alejandra Salazar. The Madrid-born player announced in 2025 that 2026 would be her final season, and the Comunidad de Madrid P1 was always the natural stage for her goodbye. Few athletes in any sport can claim a curriculum to match hers: 62 official titles, seven world championships, and four separate periods ranked number one in the world, across a professional career spanning more than two decades.

"It will be my last dance and I hope not to stumble. If I could reach the final, it would be wonderful," Salazar said in the lead-up to the tournament. The Madrid public will give her everything it has in return: a crowd that has watched almost every chapter of her story knows exactly what this week means.

The Tribute: September 6 at the Movistar Arena

The official farewell ceremony is confirmed for Sunday, September 6, at the Movistar Arena's central court, scheduled between the women's final at 4:00 PM and the men's final no earlier than 5:30 PM. Organisers have promised a series of surprises to mark the occasion. Whatever form the tribute takes, the setting — the arena that has been the spiritual home of Madrid padel — ensures it will be worthy of a career of Salazar's magnitude.

Women's Draw: Fernández Targeting a Third Straight Title

Claudia Fernández arrives at the Movistar Arena as the player to beat in the women's competition, having won the two previous editions of this tournament. A third consecutive title would make her the most dominant player in the history of the Comunidad de Madrid P1 and extend what has been an extraordinary run of form in 2026. She will face a field reinforced by players returning from the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, several of whom will be carrying the form — and the confidence — of medal performances. The women's 28-player main draw is widely regarded as one of the most open on the tour this season.

Men's Draw: Former Champions Now on Opposite Sides of the Net

The men's competition serves up its own compelling narrative. Federico Augsburger and Martín Di Nenno, who shared the champion's trophy as a pair in a previous edition of this event, return to the Movistar Arena this year as rivals — each competing alongside a new partner. The possibility of their paths crossing in the knockout rounds is one of the most discussed storylines in the Madrid padel conversation this week. The men's main draw holds 48 pairs, with the round of 16 scheduled for Thursday, September 3, the quarterfinals on Friday, September 4, and the semifinals on Saturday, September 5.

Qualifying pairings begin their matches today at Pro Padel Coslada. The full main draw, including the top seeds who enter directly, will be revealed before the start of main draw play on September 1.