Latest news with #padel
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Hooked on padel? This is the European holiday destination for you
'Our philosophy is friendship,' declares leading coach Labisa Palmera as he hands me a weird-looking solid racket with perforated holes for my first foray into padel. The sport, reportedly the biggest growing in the UK, and also expanding in key holiday resorts due to demand from travellers. While youngsters are picking up tennis rackets to play on public courts in the wake of the Wimbledon fortnight, more savvy sporting stars are planning to spend at least some of their summer break on the padel courts. Spain is king in this upcoming game, a cross between tennis and squash invented in Mexico, but nearby Portugal is also recognising padel's popularity. So I've come to Pine Cliffs Luxury Collection Resort, an immense 72-hectare cliffside family-friendly enclave in the Algarve, awash with Moorish touches and Portuguese tiles and an architectural gem of an inner courtyard in the main hotel. It offers everything from the prestigious Annabel Croft Tennis & Padel Academy, to a nine-hole golf course, state-of-the-art gym, award-winning spa, yoga, Pilates and, more importantly, a recently expanded padel facility. This year, due to demand, one of the tennis courts has been adapted into three padel courts to bring its total to four, complete with glass back wall and metal fencing enclosures, perfect for trying this sport out with my Gen-Z daughter, Grace, to see how inter-generational it is. Palmera, co-founder of the first padel club in Albufeira, recalls: 'It's been a huge phenomenon in Spain and 12 years ago it went crazy in Lisbon. Now, so many people, aged eight to 80, are playing padel and you don't need many lessons.' Not only is it good exercise, but padel is known for its sociability, given that so many generations play together. Ideal, then, for a family holiday. Reported to be the fastest-growing racket sport in the world with more than 25 million active players in 110 countries, the Lawn Tennis Association recently revealed that participation on home turf more than trebled last year, with more than 400,000 players in Great Britain alone. Former Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi was seen last year playing padel with David Beckham, while sporting superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and singer Shakira have all reportedly caught the bug. The premise is simple – you only play doubles, it is scored like tennis, you serve underarm and receivers can return the ball either as they would in tennis or off the wall after it has bounced. 'The thing is about padel is that it's great for the whole family,' says Palmera. 'People need fewer lessons than tennis to know how to play. At the end of an hour they have learned how to play doubles. 'We have found that 40-55-year-olds who have done no sport in life found that they could do padel. The difference is that it's a really sociable game, not too competitive, easy to learn and the whole family can do it,' he enthuses. Well, he might not think it's competitive, but that rather depends who you play. Yes, a family game can be just a bit of fun but we also see more experienced players who are slamming that ball as if their life depended on it. There are weekly tournaments and the academy can pair up solo players with others of similar abilities and organise fun clinics for all levels. Certainly, padel requires less court coverage than tennis, being a third of the size of a tennis court, and beginners can quickly pick up the techniques – the all-important lob, the volley, the 'chiquita' (placing the ball at the opponent's feet) and the position and timing needed to hit a ball off the glass wall. I hadn't played tennis or squash for years and by a certain age I felt I was done with these high-intensity sports, so I'd taken up pickleball, an easier padel relative, with a group of like-minded mid-lifers. But I was keen to enter a new multi-generational pastime which might engage my grown-up children. On a holiday where I didn't want to spend my time pounding the treadmill in a sweaty gym alongside my much fitter daughter and wanted to enjoy exercise on holiday without it feeling arduous, padel seemed a good choice. Playing as partners, Grace was told she had a great volley. I, as the more experienced racket-sport enthusiast, was informed my backhand was a killer. So far so good. On the second session, Palmera teamed us up with Irish sisters Isabella, 14, and Molly, 12, who he said were good at tennis and would make suitable opponents. Indeed, despite our age difference, the games went to deuce and we had a fun-filled match, as lobs were practised and volleys smashed. Finding a sport you love doesn't make exercise a chore on holiday, and the same goes for healthy eating, as we discovered in many of Pine Cliff's 15 restaurants, each of which has a unique setting which makes you feel you're in a different resort. We dine under the trees in a beautiful lemon grove, enjoy freshly-caught sea bream and other catches of the day looking out on to the Atlantic Ocean at the resort and feast on 'art on a plate' sushi and other Japanese delicacies at Yakuza, a restaurant in partnership with Olivier da Costa, one of Portugal's most recognised chefs. Tangy ginger breakfast shots devoid of alcohol, acai bowls and other delicious, nutritious fare with nuts, organic honey and lashings of fresh fruit will set you up for a day of sport, or leisure, even if you just want to lounge in the grassy area under the shade of the pine trees – there are between 4,000 and 5,000 around the resort – which provide a more natural and cooler alternative to huddling around the multiple swimming pools. We're here in peak season but the park-like green space makes the whole development seem roomier, less busy. I prefer to swim in the sea and a lift takes us down to a wooden walkway between the cliffs which leads to Falesia Beach, known for its long stretch of golden sand and the distinctive burnt orange cliffs that frame it, named the 'world's best beach' by Tripadvisor users in the 2024 Travellers' Choice Awards. Here, thrill-seekers can pound the waves on jet skis or try their hand at paddleboarding, while families have fun with bodyboards riding the surf of the refreshing Atlantic. We try other sports during the week – tennis with head coach Brunno Cappelletti Rocha, whose patience with us is admirable; golf, where we hit (and miss) a few balls on the driving range, and yoga of the gentler kind, thanks to our teacher, stretching my many unused muscles. It can be done in a studio or on the beach. A sports massage at the sumptuous Serenity – The Art of Well Being spa, housing 13 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pool, various sauna and steam rooms and other wellbeing delights, irons out my aching limbs and prepares me for the next sporting challenge. But for me padel is the star. Back in the UK, we're looking for a court nearby where we can practise our volleys, perfect our timing when the ball bounces off the glass wall, and nail that chiquita. Travel facts Two adults can stay in Pine Cliffs Hotel Deluxe Room with Resort View from £326 per night (based on September 2025 stay). Adult tennis or padel weekly coaching courses at Pine Cliffs start from £300 in off-peak season (Nov-March) and £326 in peak season (April-Oct). Junior tennis and padel camps start from £265 off-peak season and £291 peak season. For more information and to book, visit or call +351 289 500 100. Serenity – The Art of Wellbeing spa also offers a range of treatments and wellness offerings.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hove Beach Park to host padel and racket sport tournament
A Brighton beachside park will host a racket sport festival this week to try and introduce the sport to new Rackets Festival will take place in Hove Beach Park from Monday 21 – Sunday 27 July to promote tennis, padel and pickleball to people in the event comes after the opening of the £13.7m park, which includes tennis and padel courts, and will include visits from tennis star Judy Murray and former Wimbledon doubles champion Jonathan Fulcher, founder of The Progress Tour which is hosting the event, says the event is "bringing together racket enthusiasts as well as the local community in a celebration of sport, community and education". During the week-long festival, racket sport players can take part in tournaments as well as receiving workshops from coaches and experts, including former Fed Cup captain Murray, mother to Grand Slam winners Andy and Jamie event will also feature exhibition matches from pro players alongside music and pop-up food and drinks Beach Park's padel courts opened in December 2024 ahead of the full opening of the park in park was mostly paid for by a £9.5m grant from the government's Levelling Up fund and also features a BMX track, skate park and new café.Padel became one of the largest growing sports in the UK, with more than 30 millions players across the Brighton, more than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for indoor tennis courts not to be replaced with padel courts after plans for more facilities at the Withdean Sports Complex were mooted by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Real Madrid star spotted playing padel on holiday at luxurious Cullinan Belek resort in Turkey
A Real Madrid star has been spotted playing padel while on holiday at a luxurious resort in Turkey. The player in question joined Los Blancos from Fenerbahce in 2023 having come through the Super Lig side's academy and made 32 league appearances before a move to LaLiga. He is viewed as one of the hottest young prospects in world football at the age of 20 and is tipped for greatness. That individual is none other than Arda Guler, who was seen enjoying a game of padel at the Cullinan Belek resort, 25 miles east of Antalya. He enjoyed a well-deserved break at this distinguished destination, which is popular with a number of high-profile athletes. The Turkish star also took an interest in one of the world's fastest-growing sports in padel, which has been popular in Spain particularly for a number of years but is now becoming more commonplace across the globe. Arda Guler has been spotted playing padel at the Cullinan Belek resort in Turkey Maintaining his fitness even while on holiday, Guler put his lungs to the test on Cullinan Belek's professional padel courts. Combining luxury with dynamism, Cullinan Belek continues to offer a unique atmosphere to its clientele. That provides the opportunity for both rest and relaxation while allowing top-tier athletes and guests the chance to stay active throughout their stay. Having competed at the Club World Cup, Real Madrid will return to domestic action on August 19. Their first match of the 2025-26 season sees them host Osasuna as they look to regain the LaLiga title from fierce rivals Barcelona.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bradford padel centre aims to 'improve health of city residents'
Three healthcare professionals say they are setting up Bradford's first city centre padel club to help tackle health issues in the city. Strike Padel is set to open at Beckside Business Park, Lidget Green, at the end of July, with an exact date due to be announced shortly. Dentist Dr Mohammed Usman is establishing the five-court facility alongside pharmacists Fahad Qureshi and Mohammed Rashad after they noticed a high prevalence of heart conditions in the city. The new centre, currently under construction, will also include a cafe, televisions showing professional padel matches and 13 parking spaces. Padel - a blend of tennis and squash - was invented in Mexico in 1969 but in recent years has grown in popularity, with an estimated 30 million players across the world.A Bradford Council meeting in January heard padel facilities already existed in nearby Ilkley and Rawdon, but this would be the first dedicated centre for the sport in the city of Bradford."I've learned that there's a really high prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, in and amongst the population of Bradford," Dr Usman said. "I think that introducing a sport that's going to encourage healthy activity, movement and to encourage people of all ages to play is something that will benefit the area and the people of Bradford."Dr Usman said he and his co-founders had a "lightbulb moment" when they realised people could pick the sport up "really fast"."Working as a team with four players, networking, speaking to people, moving about and just getting a little bit of exercise will increase healthy living," he said. According to government data, the Bradford district has a higher than average rate of cardiovascular disease and is contributes to approximately 28% of all deaths in the Bradford district is also the fifth most income deprived local authority in the UK - and padel is not a cheap pastime. "Membership schemes will allow court booking to be a lot cheaper for people that may struggle to afford it." Dr Usman will also vary throughout the day, with courts being at a lower cost at off-peak Usman said women-only nights would help those who may feel uncomfortable in some sporting settings to feel confident enough to play."It's about inclusivity," Dr Usman said."If someone wasn't comfortable playing racket sports in a mixed environment, we'll allow them to meet other women and play together." 'Health benefits' Mr Qureshi added: "Bringing padel to Bradford has been a passion project that's taken over a year of meticulous planning. "With 2025 marking Bradford's year as the City of Culture, we couldn't think of a better time to introduce this fast-growing and exciting sport to the community. "It's been a real challenge, especially with no prior experience in construction, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding."Mr Rashad added: "One of the main reasons we brought padel to Bradford is because of its wide-ranging health benefits. "It's a low-impact sport that's accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, yet it provides a full-body workout."I truly love the game, it's fun, fast-paced, and social. "I wanted to bring something new to Bradford and give the local community the chance to enjoy it too." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Wimbledon winner's former tennis club rips up courts for padel
A tennis club that helped produce Britain's most successful female player is locked in a planning row over the installation of padel courts. Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club (TWLTC), where Virginia Wade once won the ladies' club championship, has faced a backlash after lodging an application to build three padel courts. The Kent club has 21 tennis courts – eight grass, nine artificial clay and four tarmac. But the plans would see two replaced with the padel courts. Locals have raised concerns about the impact the courts would have on 'the club's beautiful surroundings', comparing the sound of padel players to 'gunshots'. One resident, Charlotte Lawson, said: 'Noise levels will be loud causing significant disturbance to residents and members from early in the morning to late at night with the sound described as constant 'gunshots' producing an average noise level of 60 decibels each time the ball hits the glass walls of the courts or solid plastic racquets.' She warned that the tennis players' concentration and enjoyment will be 'significantly compromised.' The local also expressed concerns over traffic, parking and light pollution, as the padel courts would be open seven days a week - between 7am and 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm on weekends. The club, founded in 1898, consisted of a cricket pitch, athletic track, football ground, six tennis courts and some croquet pitches. One of its most famous members, Virginia Wade, was the winner of the Club Closed Ladies' Singles title and went on to win Wimbledon in 1977. Commenting on the controversy herself, Wade told The Telegraph: 'I guess you have to go with the flow and current fad. As long as tennis survives. It [padel] seems to be having some strength in the UK. With today's rackets, it's a much easier game to start.' Stephen Hutt, a member and local resident, added: 'My peaceful residence will have the sound of constant 'gun' shots ricocheting around.' He expressed worry for his family dog who 'is petrified of bangs and requires anxiety medication around bonfire night and cannot go on country walks when there is any form of audible shooting. 'This proposal will make her and our enjoyment of our garden untenable it will have a devastating impact on our life.' However, not all locals are opposed. Resident Susan Bourne wrote: 'We fully support this planning application. The nearest place currently to play padel is Tonbridge.' She added that the new courts would 'reduce the use of cars and general traffic in and out of the town aiding the council's environmental initiatives'. The design and access statement submitted to the council states there is a 'clear gap in the market' in the town due to the popularity of tennis. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will decide on the application at a later date.
