The Rafa Nadal Academy Team defeats KRÜ Pádel in the Hexagon Cup Challenge

13.01.2025

RNA Editorial.

In a spectacular morning of padel, nearly 1,000 fans gathered in Manacor to attend the first Hexagon Cup Challenge between two of the teams that will compete at the Madrid Arena from January 29 to February 2. It was an exceptional opportunity to see some of the world’s padel stars in action at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar facilities.

The Challenge consisted of 4 matches: a duel between Next Gen owners and players (1 point), a women’s match (2 points), a men’s match (2 points), and a mixed match (4 points).

The KRÜ Pádel by Táktika team (owned by Kun Agüero and Leo Messi) was made up of Fede Chingotto (Number 4 in the world ranking), Claudia Jensen (Number 12), Marina Lobo (Nex Gen player), Rafa Luque and Edu Conde (owner).

The Rafa Nadal Academy Team Powered by Richard Mille featured Franco Stupaczuck (World No. 5), Martita Ortega (World No. 7), Ramiro Moyano, Noa Cánovas (Next Gen player), and Maribel Nadal. Also present was Carlos Pozzoni, one of the team’s coaches.

KRÜ Pádel started by winning the first two duels with victories for Marina Lobo and Edu Conde over Noa Cánovas and Maribel Nadal and for Claudia Jensen and Marina Lobo over Martita Ortega and Noa Cánovas. Franco Stupaczuck and Ramiro Moyano then defeated Fede Chingotto and Rafa Luque, so the overall result was in the hands of the mixed duel. In a fun and exciting match, Martita Ortega and Franco Stupaczuck defeated Fede Chingotto and Claudia Jensen to give the final victory to the Rafa Nadal Academy Team Powered by Richard Mille, who received the Challenge Champion trophy from Sergio Lewin, Managing Director of the Hexagon Cup. The women’s and men’s MVP trophies were also presented to Marina Lobo and Franco Stupaczuck, as they both achieved two victories for their respective teams.

Despite last night’s adverse weather conditions, all the players emphasized the organizational success of an event that has served to boost padel in Mallorca and serves as a prelude to the second edition of the Hexagon Cup, in which KRÜ Pádel will debut and where the Rafa Nadal Academy Team hopes to improve on last year’s third-place finish. Franco Stupaczuck and Martita Ortega emphasized their eagerness for the long-awaited event at the Madrid Arena, and Fede Chingotto underlined his desire to face the Rafa Nadal Academy Team again in the final on February 2 at the Madrid Arena.

In addition to playing the matches, the players had the opportunity to explore the Rafa Nadal Academy facilities and visit the Rafa Nadal Museum, where the teams’ reception dinner was held on the eve of the match.