CIMB has made its first move into one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, concluding the inaugural CIMB Padel Open on 28 June. The tournament drew 244 players across 122 teams representing 24 nationalities, ranking it among Malaysia’s largest and most inclusive padel events of the year.
The tournament forms part of a year-long partnership with ASCARO, the pioneer of padel in Malaysia, aimed at developing the local padel ecosystem while the sport builds momentum globally.
Structured for a professional, Grand Slam-inspired experience, the Open featured four categories — Beginner, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Pro — across men’s and women’s divisions, giving first-time competitors and seasoned athletes a shared competitive platform.
The men’s professional final was the standout, pairing Malaysia’s No.1 player and CIMB Padel Partner Aidan Yunus and partner Christian Didier against Spain-based professionals Pol Alsina and Ferran Gonzalez. The Spanish duo took the title in a closely contested final — a marker of how far the standard of competition in Malaysia has come. They praised the level of play, the organisation, and the local community’s energy.
As CIMB’s first foray into padel, it has been encouraging to see strong participation and enthusiasm for the sport. Padel remains an emerging discipline, and the way this tournament has come together reflects its growing momentum. We are excited to see the sport grow to bigger places from here. — Gurdip Singh Sidhu, CEO of CIMB Malaysia & CIMB Bank Berhad
Malaysian participants made up nearly 78% of the player base, with ages ranging from teenagers to competitors over 50 — underscoring padel’s appeal as a multi-generational sport. For CIMB, backing the category early is a way of bringing its Moving You Forward direction to life through action rather than messaging, including complimentary court access for CIMB Preferred clients.
Having transitioned from squash to padel two years ago, the sport has given me a strong sense of community and purpose. Support from established brands like CIMB helps raise the sport’s profile, encourage greater participation, and drive its continued growth. — Aidan Yunus, Malaysia’s No.1 padel player & CIMB Padel Partner
