Padel is attracting more and more people high-level athletes, from various disciplines such as football, tennis or handball. Its fun, technical and accessible format makes it a favorite sport for many athletes, whether for leisure or a career change.

Growing enthusiasm among professional athletes

Many footballers are passionate about padel. In Spain, stars like Gerard Piqué, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos are regularly seen on the grounds. In France, Zinedine Zidane even opened its own padel complex, Z5 Padel, confirming his attachment to this sport.

The tennis players are not left out. Rafael Nadal, a great amateur, has integrated padel courts into his academy. Juan Carlos Ferrero and Fernando Gonzalez participate (participated) in amateur tournaments.

Why such success?

  1. A complementary sport
    Padel requires explosiveness, endurance and strategy, essential qualities for professional athletes. It allows footballers and tennis players to maintain a high physical level while having fun.
  2. A format adapted to post-competition careers
    Unlike tennis, padel is less physically demanding on the joints, which appeals to many athletes at the end of their career.
  3. A media and economic phenomenon
    Investors like Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have invested in padel clubs. In parallel, competitions such as the circuits Premier Padel or even A1 Padel attract a growing audience.

In the evening of Padel on Canal +, the show presented by Lyes Houhou, this theme was also addressed. The Success of padel among professional athletes is amazing, like at Johann zarco, originally from Cannes. The French motorcycle speed rider, double Moto2 world champion in 2015 and 2016, has integrated this sport into his winter preparation in Malaysia, alongside Charlotte Gabas.

Robin Haziza highlights the interest of athletes in padel:

"He already has the advantage of being left-handed, which is important in padel, but above all, many athletes use it as a training supplement."

Laura Clergue highlights the collective and strategic aspect of padel:

“It allows you to exercise physically, but also to work on team communication.”

The phenomenon also affects Top 14 rugby playersIncluding Racing 92, who use padel in their preparation.

Team Padel Mag

I wish the entire Padel Magazine has been trying to offer you the best of padel since 2013, but also surveys and analyses to try to understand the world of padel. From the game to the politics of our sport, Padel Magazine is at your service.

On the same subject