The Bandeja Magazine Issue 2

feature
First Femme
lands in London
Sweden’s largest female padel tournament has landed
in the UK, drawing women from across the country for its
inaugural event at the Hurlingham Club in London.
The Femme Open initiative was
started in 2018 by Swedes Johanna
Östman Livijn and Johanna Aybar
with a vision to create a padel
tournament for women of all
abilities that was more than a padel
tournament, combining sports with
networking, having fun, me-time for
competitors and top-notch prizes.
The concept has proved a huge
success and tournaments are
now held in various Scandinavian
countries. It made it to the UK thanks
to a friendship between Femme Open
founder Johanna Östman Livijn and
UK-based Australian Pep Stonor, a
well-known player here.
to play padel, compete and network
all around a fun and inclusive
sport. Playing padel is so incredibly
important to my own well-being and I
want to be able to share that passion
with women all around the UK.”
The second Femme Open UK was
held at the National Tennis Centre,
Roehampton, in November with a
third in December at The Harbour
Club, Chelsea. More events are
planned for 2023.
For more information and to
book onto events visit:
www.femmeopen.com or Instagram
@femmeopenpadelUK •
Pep organised the first Femme
Open UK event in September at The
Hurlingham Club’s newly installed
padel courts, with 24 women
participating in two groups according
to experience. Round robin matches
lasted 25 minutes each and play
went on for five hours.
Overall winners were Louise Baker/
Karen Hunter (Group A) and Fleur
Woodall/Rachael Boeg (Group B).
Prizes and goody bags were provided
by sponsors including Wilson,
Dropshot, Six Love London, Bamford,
Fairmont Windsor Hotel and Clarins.
Pep said: “Femme Open run fantastic
events that encourage more women
Pictured: Pep Stonor (left) with Femme Open founders
Johanna Östman Livijn and Johanna Aybar.
28 thebandeja.com