The BNL Italy Major Premier Padel 2026 got underway on Tuesday at Rome’s iconic Foro Italico, with an opening day packed with drama, home success stories and the first standout performances of the season’s opening Major, ahead of the arrival of the sport’s biggest stars.

The loudest celebrations came on the famous Nicola Pietrangeli Court, which welcomed its first capacity crowd of the week to witness a memorable comeback from Italian duo Flavio Abbate and Álvaro Montiel. After dropping the opening set, the home favourites battled back to defeat Emilio Sánchez and Alberto García 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 and book their place in the second round. Their reward is a blockbuster clash on Wednesday against world number ones Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, one of the most anticipated matches of the day.

Abbate and Montiel were not the only Italians to give the Roman crowd something to cheer about. Rising talent Giulia Dal Pozzo also progressed, teaming up with Spain’s Nuria Rodríguez to record a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Bellver and Merino. The pair now face a stern test against seventh seeds Ale Alonso and Ale Salazar in the second round.

One of the most notable stories of the day came from Carmen Castillón. The Spaniard, who returned to Premier Padel competition this week after more than a year away from the court, continued her impressive comeback alongside María Portillo. Having successfully come through qualifying, the pair secured their place in the second round with a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Touly and López Moral.

There was also progress in the men’s draw for David Gala and Enzo Jensen. Fresh from reaching the final of the FIP Platinum Albania, the Spanish pair came from a set down to defeat Juani Rubini and Maxi Sánchez 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 and continue the momentum they have built in recent weeks.

The tournament moves up a gear on Wednesday with the arrival of all the men’s seeded pairs. Defending champions Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto begin their title defence against Tino Libaak and Álex Chozas in one of the standout matches of the day. World number ones Coello and Tapia will also make their tournament debut, while Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger, Franco Stupaczuk and Mike Yanguas, and Martín Di Nenno and Paquito Navarro are all set to take to the courts.

With the opening day now complete, the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel 2026 has already delivered its first memorable moments, a landmark home victory and several compelling storylines ahead of what promises to be a spectacular week in Rome.