Other Sport / Padel
‘Fastest growing sport that counts Messi and Ronaldo among its promoters’
It is perhaps the most exciting new sport in the world right now. Even sporting superstars Lionel Messi, Serena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham have taken it up.
Invented in 1969, in Mexican tycoon Enrique Corcuera’s back garden, Padel is now enjoying a renaissance. According to the Lawn Tennis Association, around 500 padel courts have sprung up in the UK since 2020. One of them is Rocket Padel, based in St Anne’s, which is now the largest padel centre in the UK.
Rocket Padel has become a mecca for padel enthusiasts since it opened its doors in April 2023. When Bristol24/7 visited, it was an overcast Sunday, with a melancholic air, but the mood inside was far from gloomy.
is needed now More than ever
Dozens of padel players were taking part in a tournament where silver plates and a £2,000 cheque were at stake. Judging by the mood, it was clear competitors were not just in it for the prize money. For many, it was a fun day out. A DJ filled the air with upbeat tunes while attendees picked out goodies from the wide selection of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on offer.
Invented in 1969, in Mexican tycoon Enrique Corcuera’s back garden, Padel is now enjoying a renaissance, including in Bristol
Rocket Padel has three facilities in the UK and two more are expected to open this year. Its Bristol facility has 14 indoor courts (12 doubles and two singles).
Roxy Keshavarz, club manager at Bristol Rocket Padel, explained the rules:
“Padel is a doubles sport that originated in Mexico. It’s a mixture of tennis and squash, with scoring very similar to that of tennis. One of the reasons it’s the fastest-growing sport in the world is because it’s quick and easy to pick up.
“We offer introductory padel sessions where, within just 45 minutes, you’ll be able to jump straight into a game and do well.
“It’s essentially a racket and a ball. The racket resembles a swing ball, while the ball looks like a tennis ball, but it’s slightly different. The aim is simply to hit the ball over the net. What makes it so enjoyable is how sociable it is and how much fun it is to play.”
“Within just 45 minutes, you’ll be able to jump straight into a game and do well,” explains Roxy Keshavarz, club manager at Bristol Rocket Padel on the easy access for beginners
Roxy is excited about the recent rise in popularity of padel, which has opened racket sports up to people who claim to be “non-sporty”. Padel has become a popular team-building exercise in the business world as well, where building cohesive working relationships is vital for success.
She continued: “It’s becoming a popular choice for team bonding or as a reward for teams performing well. Many corporates are getting involved, and it’s even replacing traditional golf away days with padel days – it’s fantastic to see. We’ve had corporate groups hire all 14 courts, mixing things up with a mix of competitive play and more relaxed fun.
“At Rocket Padel, we can tailor these events to suit, whether it’s a friendly game or a competitive tournament. For example, we’ve organised events where six doubles courts are for fun, with people mixing and playing with everyone, while the other six are more competitive, with a winner at the end.”
Actor Ryan Thomas runs PDL Academy, which organises regular padel tournament weekends, primarily to the Algarve in Portugal
There is no need to serve like Sampras to excel in the sport. The popularity of padel is such that it has converted complete agnostics into passionate advocates. This includes actor Ryan Thomas, one of the competitors in Sunday’s Rocket Padel tournament.
The soap star, best known for his role as Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street from 2000 until 2016, is now the founder of a business called PDL Academy, which organises regular padel tournament weekends, primarily to the Algarve in Portugal.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Thomas said: “I mean, it’s the fastest-growing sport in the world, and I feel like we’re a little bit behind in the UK, but we’re catching up. It’s getting more and more popular, with more courts getting built all around the country. And I love playing the game. I love being part of the game and watching it. I love the social aspect. I’m passionate about it.”
Another business owner at the Rocket Padel tournament was Sandy Farquharson, an accredited tennis coach who co-founded The Padel School with his brother Tom in 2019. The Padel School is a coaching website that provides on-demand virtual padel lessons.
The recent tournament was more than prize money and silverware but a celebration of padel
Farquharson said: “The game of padel has grown because it’s a great combination of relatively easy techniques to learn, which means that players can get tactics involved very early. It’s very sociable. And players are able to play with their friends. And so the game has grown really through there.”
He added: “There isn’t the same kind of serve as in tennis. The technique for serving in tennis can be quite difficult but, in padel, it’s much easier. You can almost get started without lessons. While I recommend taking lessons at the beginning, it’s possible to start without much instruction, unlike tennis.”
Rocket Padel, based in St Anne’s, is now the largest padel centre in the UK
Padel’s rapid growth, both as a sport and a corporate wellness tool, is not difficult to understand. It has a universal appeal by offering a fun and accessible way to stay fit while fostering teamwork.
Illustration: Lucy J Turner
This article is taken from the March/April 2025 Bristol24/7 magazine
All photos: Milan Perera
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
