Andy Murray launches AD/vantage padel team

Andy Murray's foray into a different racquet sport is continuing. The former world No. 1 is now the co-owner of a padel team, called AD/vantage, which will debut at the new Hexagon Cup tournament, taking place in Madrid in February.

The team is co-owned by co-owned by AD Global Sports’ Arran Yentob and Murray’s former coach Dani Vallverdu, and is the fourth confirmed club of the six expected to debut at the event.

Murray's foray into team ownership was announced Friday. It's also his second commitment to the sport of padel, having previously invested in Game4Padel, which funds, designs, builds, operates and promoted padel facilities around Great Britain.

"I’m excited to become part of the ownership group for a team in the inaugural Hexagon Cup," Murray said in a statement. "I invested in Game4Padel a few years ago to help try and grow the sport in the UK–it’s already huge in South America, the Middle East and parts of Europe.

“I love the fact it’s easy to play, fun and social, so it will get people of all ages and abilities picking up a racket and giving it a go. I’m working with friends of mine at AD Global Sports, and together we’ll have fun over the next few years as we build a successful team and competition, while also helping grow the sport.”

Murray joins Rafael Nadal's eponymous tennis academy, and soccer star Robert Lewandowski, in team ownership for the Hexagon Cup. The innovative team tournament consists of the world's best players, who will be playing for a purse of €1 million. Each team will consist of two men, two women and two future stars.

"It’s our honor to welcome Andy Murray, Arran Yentob, Dani Vallverdu and their Team AD/vantage entry to the Hexagon Cup," Simon Freer, chairman of the Hexagon Cup, added. "The goal of the Hexagon Cup is to celebrate the sport we love, whilst also growing its participation and popularity worldwide. Having such a sporting heavyweight as Andy involved will no doubt support our mission to take padel fever to new levels. We can’t wait to see this team take shape!”