Aimee Gibson and Victoria Nicholas Make History at FIP Rise Manila!
It was a monumental weekend for GB No. 1 Aimee Gibson as she achieved two significant milestones in her career with a victory alongside Victoria Nicholas at the FIP Rise Manila tournament in the Philippines. The pair not only claimed the title but also cemented their place in the record books, making this an unforgettable achievement for British padel.
Aimee Gibson Shines on the International Stage
This win marked Aimee’s first-ever FIP Rise trophy, having previously come close with two runner-up finishes in FIP Rise finals and a title at the FIP Promotion level. This victory also propelled Aimee to a new personal best, climbing to No. 121 in the FIP world rankings, surpassing the previous British record of No. 123 set by Tia Norton.
A Last-Minute Partnership that Paid Off
Aimee and Victoria only decided to team up at the last minute, boarding a long flight to Manila as the tournament’s second seeds. With just one day of practice to adapt to the challenging heat and humidity, the duo made an impressive start. They breezed past opponents from the Philippines and China, losing only one game in each match, before facing a tougher test against Japan’s Kotomi Ozawa and Spain’s Elisabeth Nogueras Lorenz. The British pair rose to the occasion, winning the semifinal in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
A Surprising End to the Final
The final, however, turned out to be an unexpected anticlimax. Spanish player Carla Fernandez Gonzalez, citing illness, struggled to continue alongside her partner, Dutch player Rosalie van der Hoek. After a single erratic return of serve, the Dutchwoman conceded the match in frustration, handing Aimee and Victoria the victory. While the ending may not have been what anyone expected, it did nothing to diminish the accomplishment for the British duo.
This title was equally special for Victoria Nicholas, marking her first-ever FIP Rise title. The win also boosted her to a career-high world ranking of 161, further solidifying her place among Britain’s rising padel stars.
A Weekend of British Success
The British success didn’t end there. Sam Jones, another talented player, reached the men’s final alongside Dutch partner Julian Prins. Although they narrowly lost to the Spanish duo Sergi Nogueras Lorenz and Marc Bernils Garcia in a nail-biting 7-5, 7-5 match, it was another strong showing for British padel on the global stage.
What’s Next for British Padel?
This victory in Manila not only highlights the talent of Aimee Gibson, Victoria Nicholas, and Sam Jones but also demonstrates the growing strength of British players in international padel. With such impressive results, the future looks bright for GB on the global stage!