Athletes and investors fuel rapid rise of padel worldwide

17 hours ago 1

Padel is no longer confined to Europe’s sun-drenched resorts. The fast-paced racquet sport, known for its teamwork and constant movement, is now spreading in popularity quickly all over the world. People are opening courts in major U.S. cities, and new investors are betting big that it will become a new global sensation.

For the past few decades padel has enjoyed mild popularity as a social pastime in Spain and Italy. Now it's clearly evolving into a fast growing sport with people who play in many countries. Tennis stars and soccer icons such as Rafael Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Beckham have helped push it into the spotlight even more by funding new clubs and training centers. Even movie star Tom Holland is playing. This type of backing has brought even more attention and money. But getting a more sustained growth will take more than just celebrity appeal.

“Investment helps, but without structure it doesn’t last,” said Flora Carrella, a certified coach with the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation and a national doubles champion. “You need education, trained coaches, and systems that make it sustainable.”

That type of structure is starting to materialize in Europe. In Italy the sport has seen expanded certification programs and greater elite training investment. The hope is that athletes may start to perform better in future international events. There is also hope among the sport’s leaders that padel will someday be considered for addition to the Olympic roster.

In the United States, tennis and pickleball still dominate, but padel wants part of the action. Dozens of new facilities have opened in places like Miami and Los Angeles, attracting both recreational players and athletes from other sports. “The social side makes it perfect for the U.S.,” Carrella said. “It is athletic, but also entertainment.”

In pickleball, the players use a plastic ball and a hard paddle. In padel, you play with a pressurized ball inside glass walls, which makes the rallies last longer. Wearable tech and data analysis have also gained popularity in padel as coaches seek ways to make training more efficient as well as prevent injuries.

With celebrity backing as well as new structure and the advancement of technology, it looks like padel may soon join the ranks for the world's most dynamic sports.

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