Fatshimetrie presents an exclusive report on the explosion of padel in South Africa, highlighting the recent final of the women’s doubles tournament in a charity competition held in Cape Town.
Considered a cross between squash and tennis, padel, a sport of Mexican origin created in 1969, has experienced a considerable boom worldwide in recent years, and South Africa has not escaped the craze for this dynamic sport.
The event in question, held in Paarden Eiland, has a significant philanthropic character. Padel4Good, a non-profit organization, orchestrates fundraising through monthly competitions to support various charitable causes across South Africa.
Karen van Huyssteen and Danelle Pieterse won the final, expressing their joy and gratitude to the association Padel4Good for its commitment and positive impact on the community.
Africa Padel in Claremont, Cape Town, is one of 206 padel clubs in the country, with more than 600 courts, according to FIP, the International Padel Federation. Just five years ago, the sport was largely unknown in South Africa.
The rapid growth of padel in the country is attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Luke Potter, one of the founders of the South African Padel Association, highlights the impact of the health context on the development of the sport. Restrictions on other sports activities have led many enthusiasts to padel, thus promoting its growing popularity.
Padel, with its similarities to squash and tennis, is a game that is both accessible to beginners and demanding for experienced players. This versatility makes it an attractive sport for a wide audience, offering everyone the opportunity to flourish on the court.
Padel is a fast-paced and social game that is increasingly popular in South Africa. The Virgin Active Padel Club’s growth forecast, from 65 to nearly 100 courts by 2025, is a testament to the growing popularity of the sport.
Club Director Elian Wiener anticipates padel will grow more widely across the country, reaching people from all walks of life and across diverse regions. This expansion will further entrench padel in the South African sporting landscape, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy this dynamic discipline.
With the explosive growth in the number of padel courts worldwide, padel is emerging as a fast-growing sport, offering a new approach to the game of racket and bringing together a passionate and diverse community.