Racquet Sport
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e’ve talked in previous issues about the growth and popularity of racquet sports over the last several years as people all across the country and world have begun playing not just tennis, but sports such as pickleball, padel, beach tennis and more. With so many more people playing recreationally and professionally, it’s important to recognize the work being done by the governing bodies of these sports to maintain that growth. Take the United States Padel Association (USPA) for example. The USPA is based in Houston, which is where the sport of Padel was first introduced in the United States in 1993. And for the last 30 years, the USPA has been at the forefront of growing the sport. The organization is is set to embark on a successful 2022 season. There are tournaments scheduled throughout the country including in
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Texas, Florida, California, Nevada and more. You can learn more by visiting PadelUSA.org, where you can find more information on the growing amount of clubs featuring Padel and more places to play. “In case you were unaware there is a USPA located in Houston, Texas (United States Padel Association),” All Racquet Sports said in a statement to its distributors. “We are happy to announce Marcos del Pilar, our Director of International AFP Certification and Director at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, has been named the President to lead the organization from here onwards. Here you can find the ever-increasing number of tournaments, players and courts coming online in the US!” Padel Court at Australian Open
While you may have been enthralled with the tennis during the Australian Open, there was something exciting happening off the main tennis courts. There was a pop-up Padel court set up
on the grounds of the Australian Open, as the sport was introduced to Aussie tennis fans who had not seen it played before. “I got a little bit addicted,” one local told The Age, an Australian newspaper. “Padel is a lot easier than normal tennis and probably more accessible. I’ve noticed that some different mates who I don’t normally play tennis with come down for a hit. The court was open in Melbourne Park for the duration of the Australian Open, and it attracted many guests to try it for the first time. The pop-up came on the heels of the first Melbourne padel club opening in Lorimer Street, Docklands, last year. At the French Open last year, a similar pop-up Padel court was set up. It’s just another indicator of the continuing spread of these racquet sports, and how they have attracted new players seeking an alternative to tennis.
NYTennisMag.com • March/April 2022 • New York Tennis Magazine
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