You may be wondering first...and...who the hell is Matt Grey? A player? A coach? An expert?
Nothing of that.
This is Matt Grey: @matt_gray_
A curious guy, born in the USA, Founder of Founder OS and who has developed a company dedicated to supporting business founders through transformation tools. Guru? Possibly.
What brings you to Runpadelworld is that not long ago Matt discovered Padel as a revelation.
And this is the story that he told us in a Twitter thread (X) that I think defines phenomenally well what many of us think about this sport and that at Runpadel we want to share with you:
I recently started playing Paddle. It is the best sport of all. It's an electrifying mix of tennis, squash and racquetball. Mark my words, Padel will be the fastest growing sport in the world over the next 20 years. Here's why:
Imagine a game that combines the speed of tennis and the strategic play of squash. That's Paddle. It is played on a 20m x 10m court closed by glass walls and metal mesh. The walls are not just for decoration, they are part of the game allowing angled shots that last many exchanges.
Although Pádel might look like tennis at first glance, there are key differences in the equipment.
- A padel racket is solid, stringless and perforated. Its foam or rubber core is wrapped in a durable outer shell. This allows excellent control and feel without sacrificing power.
- A padel ball is similar to a tennis ball but has slightly less internal pressure (4.6-5.2 kg/cm² compared to 5.7-6.9 kg/cm² for tennis). It also has a smaller diameter (6.3-6.7 cm). These differences make it easier to control a paddle ball and add to the finesse of the game.
The differences between Paddle and Tennis are what makes it so exciting:
- Serve under the arm
- The walls are part of the game
- Smaller track without line markings
- Focus on control and tactics over power
In short, Pádel is a refreshingly unique challenge.
But the scoring system in Paddle follows the conventions of tennis, with the particularity that players can leave the court to return a ball that bounced off the back wall.
While singles padel can be fun, the game really shines in doubles. The compact track and team-oriented gameplay create a highly social and engaging experience. Matches are full of fast exchanges and skillful play at the net. It promotes both unity and healthy rivalry.
If you are new to Padel, here are some tips to start your game:
- The walls are your friends
- Use padel shoes for comfort and agility
- Position yourself in sync with your partner
- Prioritize control and consistency over power Master these, and you'll be game.
Pádel has a fascinating origin story. It was invented in Mexico in the late 1960s by Enrique Corcuera, who adapted tennis to a smaller, closed court due to space limitations on his property. The game spread to Spain and Argentina in the 70s, where it gained popularity.
Paddle tennis is now exploding in popularity worldwide. It is played by 25 million people around the world, with large followers in Mexico, Argentina and Spain. Courts are appearing in more than 90 countries, and the sport even has its own professional circuit, the Premier Pádel, broadcast on Red Bull TV.
At an elite level, Pádel is a spectacle worth seeing. The year 2024 marks a milestone with the merger of Premier Pádel and World Pádel Tours. It will feature Majors, P1 and P2 events, and Tour Finals, with stars like Juan Lebron and Alejandro showing their art on the court.
Paddle's meteoric rise shows no signs of slowing down. Its social and accessible nature makes it easy for anyone to get started and enjoy. With growing popularity and increased media coverage, Padel is ready to become the next global sporting sensation.
It's difficult to add or remove anything from this text, don't you think?
Thank you, Matt, for summarizing so well what many of us think about this sport.
And thank you all for buying at Runpadel , of course :-).
