Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Syrian padel player Moayad Salim is looking to build on a first-place finish at a Masters tournament in Abu Dhabi as he pursues a professional career in the sport after growing up in a family steeped intennis.

The 30-year-old Syrian national team player said he has competed in around 70 padel tournaments since turning professional in 2022, with his latest appearance bringing him first place in Abu Dhabi.

Salim’s route into racket sports began long before his professional padel career.

“I come from a family in which everyone has been connected to tennis,” Salim told SANA. “My father is a coach, while my grandparents, brothers and uncles have all been involved in the sport, either as players or coaches.”

He said that background gave him a strong foundation from an early age before he made the switch to padel.

Salim moved to theUnited Arab Emiratesin 2020 and began intensive training before entering professional competition two years later.

He recently completed a week-long training course under renowned coach Gustavo Pratto, who works with top-ranked padel players Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello. Salim said he hoped to pass on what he learned to players inSyria.

Salim plans to travel to Spain in November for further training as he seeks to gain more experience in the sport.

Beyond his own career, Salim sees significant potential for padel in Syria and hopes players will receive greater support and more opportunities to train and compete.

Syria’s first Republic Padel Championship concluded in Damascus on Sept. 14, with players competing across five categories.

Salim and Ghaith Salim won the Category A title, ahead of Jalal al-Shamali and Iyad Salim in second place, while Bassam Kallas and Yaman Nagnag finished third, according to the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

Salim said wider access to training and competition could help Syrian players raise their level and strengthen their presence in tournaments at home and abroad.

Padel, played on an enclosed court smaller than a tennis court, combines elements of tennis and squash.