Soul Padel ambassador secures place in qualifying draw after remarkable rise through the FIP rankings following the company’s backing
Manchester, UK, 16 July 2026
Soul Padel ambassador Theo Garton has been awarded a wildcard into the qualifying draw for the London Premier Padel P1, earning the opportunity to compete at one of the world’s biggest padel tournaments following a remarkable year of progress on the international circuit.
The wildcard will see Garton and doubles partner Cameron Dollimore compete at the prestigious event at London’s Olympia, where they will have the chance to test themselves against some of the world’s leading players on home soil.
For Soul Padel, the announcement represents another milestone in a partnership built around developing British talent and helping raise the standard of competitive padel across the UK.
Last year, Soul Padel funded Theo’s move to Spain, enabling him to leave full-time employment and pursue his ambition of becoming a professional padel player. Since then, he has climbed from outside the world’s top 900 to inside the top 350 in the FIP rankings, reaching a career-high of around 308 while competing consistently on the international circuit.
The London Premier Padel P1, taking place from 4 to 9 August, will bring the world’s best men’s and women’s players to Britain for one of the biggest events ever staged on UK soil. Wildcards provide British players with the opportunity to compete against world-class opposition, earn valuable ranking points and gain experience on home courts.
Mark Hewlett, CEO and Founder of Soul Padel, said:
“When we supported Theo in making the move to Spain, we believed he had both the talent and the mindset to give himself every opportunity to succeed. Over the past year he has shown exactly what dedication, resilience and hard work can achieve.
“This wildcard is a fantastic opportunity, not just for Theo and Cameron, but for British padel. Moments like this give talented British players the chance to compete on one of the biggest stages in our sport, inspire the next generation and show that there is a pathway from grassroots padel to the highest level.
“We’re incredibly proud to have played a small part in Theo’s journey so far and we’re excited to see him represent British padel in London. Supporting players like Theo, alongside initiatives such as The Stockport Open and the work we’re doing with David Garrido Garcia, reflects our commitment to raising standards and creating opportunities for players to develop at every level of the game.”
“Getting a wildcard into the London Premier Padel P1 is a massive opportunity and one I’m really grateful for. It’s a chance to test myself against some of the best players in the world, in front of a home crowd, which is something every British player wants to experience. The support I’ve had from Soul Padel over the past year has made a huge difference. Being able to train full-time in Spain has helped me develop as a player, and I’m excited to see where this next step can take me.”
Theo became a Soul Padel ambassador in 2024 after both parties recognised a shared ambition to raise standards within British padel. Alongside his professional career, he has worked with Soul Padel to give players within its growing community access to high-level coaching sessions, exhibitions and opportunities to learn from elite competition.
Working alongside Soul Padel’s Technical Director, David Garrido Garcia, Theo has helped deliver coaching sessions, exhibition matches and player development experiences that bring aspiring players closer to the professional game.
That commitment to developing competitive padel will continue in September when Soul Padel hosts The Stockport Open. Expected to be the UK’s largest amateur and grassroots padel tournament, the event will feature a £10,000 prize fund and provide players with the opportunity to test themselves in one of the UK’s premier competitive events.
From supporting emerging professionals like Theo Garton to staging The Stockport Open, Soul Padel continues to invest in the future of British padel by creating more opportunities for players to test themselves and progress within the sport.
About Soul Padel
For media enquiries, please contact:
Mark Hewlett
Email: mark@soulpadel.co.uk
Phone: 07961310078
Website: soulpadel.co.uk
