After explaining the foundations of World Padel Coulter Wright discusses the spectacular growth of padel in North America, including its player rating system. The WPR founder also talks about his network of clubs, his business model, the launch of a mobile app, and his ambition to make his system a truly universal language for measuring skill level, including in Europe. 

 Padel Magazine There's a lot of talk about the explosion of padel in the United States. What about in Canada? 

 Coulter Wright:  Canada is following a fairly similar trajectory to the United States, although we're always slightly behind. I like to joke that Canadians often follow their American neighbors.

The true starting point of North American padel was Miami. Today, its development is spectacular in Texas, New York, and California.

In Canada, we are seeing exactly the same dynamic. Toronto is experiencing very strong growth, new clubs are opening regularly and we are already studying other locations, particularly in Vancouver.

Obviously, in our country, indoor infrastructure is essential because of the climatic conditions, but this does not slow down the development of sport at all.

 You are also a club operator. 

Yes. We currently operate three clubs: one in Toronto, one in Florida, and one in Arizona.

A second club will open soon in Toronto and we are also working on a project in Vancouver with a local partner.

These clubs allow us to test our technology daily. We are simultaneously players, operators, and developers of solutions for the clubs. This is a considerable advantage, as we know exactly what their needs are.

Close-up of a person wearing a light gray polo with a red Red Paddle logo and yellow shirt underneath; sunglasses hang from the collar.
Coulter Wright World Padel Rating

 Pickleball remains very popular in North America. Is it a competitor to padel? 

Pickleball is indeed very popular.

I often like to say that it's a bit like playing ping-pong… but on a big table.

Padel is completely different. For me, it combines the best of tennis, squash, and racquetball. It's this combination that makes it so addictive.

All my friends from the tennis world who discover padel quickly become passionate about it.

On the other hand, we know that it will still be a few years before we see the emergence of a full generation of young North American players capable of competing with the best Europeans.

When you see the level of the young people present here at FIP ​​Promises Paris, it's simply impressive.

 How many players use World today? Padel Rating? 

Today we have nearly  30,000 profiles .

The beginnings were quite slow: it took us almost three years to reach 2,000 players.

Then things accelerated when we started integrating our technology directly into the platforms used by the clubs.

Today, each new club that joins our ecosystem naturally feeds the database. It's a virtuous circle.

 It's free for players to use. What is your business model? 

Indeed, creating a World profile Padel Rating is completely free.

Our model is based on three main sources of revenue.

The first concerns the federations with which we work.

The second is related to clubs. When a player participates in an activity or event organized through our system, a very small commission is included in their registration.

Finally, we will launch a mobile application next year.

It will be free in its basic version, but a Premium version will provide access to more statistics, history and analysis on the players being followed.

 How many clubs are currently using your platform? 

Around  50 clubs , distributed between the United States and Canada.

We are also starting to work with some organizations located outside of North America.

We are seeing that many clubs today are looking for a standardized system to automatically organize their ability groups.

That is precisely what we are offering.

 Are you already in contact with European clubs? 

Yes.

We are in discussions with several British clubs who are looking for a solution that goes beyond simple WhatsApp groups.

WhatsApp is an excellent communication tool, we use it too, but it is not an organizational system.

As a club grows, it becomes very difficult to manually manage hundreds of players.

Our algorithm automates this organization and allows us to create the best possible groups according to each person's actual level.

 Is your ambition to replace existing systems? 

No.

Our goal is not to replace federations or their rankings.

We want to make our technology available to them.

In the United States, all USA data Padel today, data passes through our platform. This is the type of collaboration we want to develop elsewhere.

Each country has its own way of doing things, but we believe that a common language around the level of players can benefit everyone.

 In France, the FFT ranking system is already very well established. Is this a hindrance? 

It's obviously different.

France has had a structured system for a long time, and this will probably take longer.

In contrast, in younger markets like the United States or Canada, it is easier to introduce new tools.

Nevertheless, we believe that our technology can complement existing systems, including in Europe.

 Finally, why did you choose to support the FIP Promises Paris by WME? 

Because young people represent the future of padel.

I myself grew up playing junior tennis and I know how important these competitions are.

Discovering the best young European players here is an incredible experience.

We are very happy to support this event and to accompany, in our own way, the next generation of padel players.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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