Syrian Athlete Moayad Salim Wins Padel Masters Title in Abu Dhabi
Syrian athlete Moayad Salim has achieved a notable sports milestone by securing first place at the Padel Masters championship held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This victory marks a significant achievement in a professional journey that the 30-year-old began after transitioning from tennis to padel, a sport that is currently experiencing a rapid rise in popularity.
Salim comes from a family with a long-standing history in tennis. His father is a tennis coach, and his siblings and grandparents have also practiced the sport for generations. Salim credits this family background for providing the strong foundational skills he developed from a young age, which he describes as the solid base that allowed him to specialize in padel.
His professional path in padel effectively began in 2022, following his move to the UAE in 2020. Upon his arrival, he committed himself to specialized training courses designed to enhance his physical and technical capabilities. Since that time, Salim has competed in approximately 70 regional and international tournaments, consistently achieving advanced results that culminated in his recent title victory in Abu Dhabi.
To ensure his technical level aligns with global standards, Salim recently completed an intensive week-long training course under the supervision of world-renowned coach Gustavo, who oversees the training of top-ranked professional padel players Tapia and Coello. Through these professional steps, Salim aims to leverage advanced expertise in the sport and transfer this knowledge and skill to the padel community in Syria. He has confirmed his intention to travel to Spain this coming November to pursue further advanced training and participate in additional courses that will contribute to refining his talent and advancing his professional level.
Regarding the state of padel in Syria, Salim believes that the sport—which is a blend of tennis and squash typically played in specialized indoor courts—holds significant potential for growth and popularity. He expressed his hope that the coming period will see increased attention from relevant authorities to provide the necessary support for Syrian athletes. He emphasized the need to expand the base of practitioners, improve training facilities, and create more opportunities to participate in tournaments, which would ensure the elevation of Syrian players’ standards and strengthen their presence in both local and international sports forums.
