Swing Racquet + Paddle founder thinks the U.S. will fall for Padel

While Americans obsess over pickleball, others around the globe are playing a different racquet game.

Driving the news: Padel, a Spanish game that is like a mixture of squash and tennis, has become the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world, the New York Times reports.

• Now, sports entrepreneur Rob Autry, who is developing the massive Swing Racquet + Paddle complex in Brier Creek, wants to help the popular Spanish game take off in the States.
• Watch some of the best padel points here.

Yes, but: In the U.S., there are only a couple hundred padel courts — which look similar to a tennis court, except they are slightly smaller, have a higher net and are surrounded by glass walls — and Swing is one of the few places in the U.S. planning to invest heavily in the sport.

• The Swing complex will include: 28 tennis courts, 25 pickleball courts, 16 courts for padel, several beach tennis courts and a ping-pong center.

What they're saying: "I was a believer about three years ago when I first played," Autry told Axios. "I played college tennis and it was the most fun I've had on a court in many years."

• He added that the CEOs of major racquet sports companies, like Swing partner Wilson, are also investing in padel.
• "Swing's going to be an international destination for big events and tournaments."

What's next: Site work on Swing is beginning now and construction could be completed by 2025, Autry says

Go Deeper: More details on what to expect at Swing