Padel is San Diego's trendy new racquet sport
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Padel N9ne has eight turf courts, including two with stadium seating. Photo: Courtesy of Padel N9ne
Look out, pickleball, there's a new racquet sport on the rise in San Diego.
Why it matters: Padel — a fast-paced mix of tennis and squash — is growing its footprint around the city, enticing retirees, professional athletes, moms and biotech workers to play the game.
Catch up quick: Padel started in Mexico about 50 years ago and is typically played in doubles. The major difference is that the courts — smaller than tennis — are surrounded by mesh or glass walls that players use to bounce balls off of, Axios San Francisco's Nadia Lopez writes.
State of play: The racquet sport has quickly become the fastest-growing in the world with pro leagues abroad, and now it's taking off in the U.S.
- A few years ago, Taktika Padel at Barnes Tennis Center was one of the few places to play in San Diego, but more courts are popping up at country clubs, hotels and dedicated facilities around the county.
- Kingdom of Padel in Bay Ho and Padel N9ne in Sorrento Valley are the newest — and biggest — facilities, with multiple courts and amenities. Both clubs offer memberships, open play and clinics.
What they're saying: "The sport locally has evolved exponentially over the last five years," Padel N9ne founder Aaron Hasnain said.
- He started hosting padel games at his home during the pandemic, and capitalized on the opportunity to bring a top-tier facility to San Diego that's added more than 550 members since opening in April.
- "[Padel] is incredibly social by nature… and more athletic, dynamic and fast-paced than pickleball," yet "still easy on the body," he said.
Zoom in: Padel N9ne is part of a campus that is home to big tech and life science companies, gym and wellness facilities, and Karl Strauss Brewery. Plus, Puesto Mexican restaurant and other upscale bars and restaurants are opening there soon.
- Altogether, Hasnain said they're creating a "fun, social, vibey community all anchored around the sport," rather than just a place to rent courts.
The intrigue: Kingdom of Padel is also looking to build a social club for both high-level players and beginners, many of whom come for pickleball, then try padel and don't want to go back, co-owner Fernando Sotelo told Axios.
- It opened in a new location this month with indoor and outdoor courts, pickleball, golf simulators and a bar.
- "Instead of going to night clubs and restaurants, they come here on Fridays and that's their night out," Sotelo said.
What's next: Padel N9ne, equipped with stadium seating, is hosting an elite international tournament for the world's top players later this month.