The fastest-growing racket sport in the world will arrive in Manchester next week.
Padel, the sport which combines elements of tennis and squash, and is usually played in doubles, will be opening up its first club at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers, in the New Jackson neighbourhood.
Club De Padel will have four, purpose-built panoramic glass courts, handmade in Spain, and will be open for bookings from today (12 December) ahead of its opening on 19 December.
Players will be able to buy or hire equipment on site, thanks to a hook up with Adidas and HEAD, and even book tuition.
Rackets are light, made of carbon fibre or fibre glass and have no strings, while the balls are similar to tennis balls.
Top padel player Alberto Cubero Torregrosa will be the club’s head coach, with whom you’ll be able to book in one-to-one sessions.
“We can’t get over the support we’ve had from the city so far, our inbox hasn’t stopped with people asking when we’re opening, when they can book, how they can learn to play – it’s been great,” says co-founder James Wigglesworth.
“We’ve also discovered a hardcore element of ‘paddicts’ who travel miles every week to play and are just delighted that we’re landing on their doorstep.”
Padel coach Torregrosa added: “I can’t wait to get started at Club de Padel. Having grown up in Malaga, I have been playing padel for over 25 years, so I’m delighted to see it finally arrive in Manchester, where I now call home.
“It is important to me that everyone can enjoy this amazing sport, so it doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner or an experienced player, I am committed to helping you improve and have fun while doing it.”
As well as playing, coffee shop favourite Federal will also be on hand to provide refreshments and snacks.
Bookings can be made on a pay-to-play basis, with no membership required, but there will also be a Padel+ system, where courts can be booked in advance, while users can also get discounts on equipment via the club’s app.
