Bahraini athlete Kenzy Abdelaal has made history by winning the Middle East’s first-ever FIP Promises trophy, organised by the International Padel Federation, in Doha. She tells Woman This Month about her passion for padel and its meteoric rise in Bahrain.
Proudly representing Bahrain on the international stage, Kenzy hopes her achievement will inspire more young athletes, particularly girls, to pursue their dreams.
“Winning the FIP trophy feels incredible,” she exclaims. “It’s really special to be part of something historic for our region … I’m proud to represent Bahrain and bring this achievement to my country amongst some of the world’s top young padel talents.”
Facing International Pressure
For Kenzy, the competition presented new pressures. “The hardest part was the pressure of participating for the first time in an FIP tournament,” she says. “There were so many great players and it felt scary at first.” Despite initial nerves, Kenzy remained focused and drew strength from her partnership with her partner, Layal Alzakari, in the final match.
“It was both exciting and nerve-wracking,” she says. “We knew we had to trust each other. Even when we were behind, we stayed aggressive and fought until the last point.”
Kenzy’s interest in padel began with a background in tennis, making the transition to its fellow racquet sport smooth and enjoyable. “I actually used to play tennis … padel was really fun and since it’s very similar, I picked it up quickly,” she explains.
Overcoming Obstacles
Training at academies played a vital role in her growth. Kenzy admits the process has had its challenges, especially in maintaining consistency and managing frustration. “There were tough times when I struggled … but the coaches were always there to help me push through,” she says. Inspired by Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic, Kenzy admires his perseverance and commitment. “He showed that with determination and hard work, you can overcome even the toughest challenges,” she says.
Encouraging the Next Generation
As padel gains momentum in the region, Kenzy encourages parents to support their children’s involvement in the sport. “Padel is an amazing sport for kids. It teaches teamwork, discipline and strategy,” she says. “I’m really grateful for the support my parents have given me.”
She also sees great potential for Bahrain to become a hub for padel through school programmes and more tournaments for girls. “We need to build a strong foundation and I want to be a part of that,” she argues, also praising the efforts of the Bahrain Padel Federation.
Looking ahead, Kenzy’s ambitions remain high: “My goal is to represent Bahrain in more FIP events and bring home more trophies. In the long run, I want to see Bahrain become one of the leading countries in padel,” she concludes.
