Current:Home > InvestPadel, racket sport played in at least 90 countries, is gaining attention in U.S.-InfoLens
Padel, racket sport played in at least 90 countries, is gaining attention in U.S.
View Date:2024-12-23 14:39:21
One racket sport that's been picking up steam internationally for years is now gaining attention in the United States. It's not tennis, squash, racquetball or pickleball. It's padel, which reportedly got its start in Mexico in the 1960s, and is now played in at least 90 countries.
Padel is played two-on-two, and all serves are underhand. Players can use the turf court and glass walls to their advantage.
One of padel's highest-profile fans is three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Andy Murray, who has put his own money into the sport with an investment in a padel company in the U.K., Game4Padel.
What is the sport's appeal to him?
"There's obviously a bit of crossover to tennis," Murray said. "But it's probably a little bit easier, a bit more forgiving on the body. But still, you know, it's fun, it's competitive, it's good exercise. It's a great game to play socially.
"I believe it is a better game to play than pickleball, which I know everyone is trying just now," Murray said.
New Yorkers are now getting a taste of the sport, at the city's very first padel club, Padel Haus, in Brooklyn.
Former tennis pro Jordana Lujan picked up padel during the pandemic, and quickly got drafted to the Pro Padel League – North America's first professional circuit. PPL kicked off its inaugural season last month.
"I fell in love with padel very recently, but I deeply fell in love with it," Lujan said.
She was excited, but said it's going to take more than a pro league for the sport to catch on in the U.S.
"If padel gets into universities, into colleges, I think that's what's gonna explode," Lujan said.
Don't miss the 2023 Pro Padel League Championship, Thursday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET, on the CBS Sports Network.
Vladimir DuthiersVladimir Duthiers is a CBS News correspondent based in New York.
TwitterveryGood! (8161)
Related
- John Krasinski Details Moment He Knew Wife Emily Blunt Was “the One”
- After finishing last at Masters, Tiger Woods looks ahead to three remaining majors
- Brittney Griner and Cherelle Griner Expecting First Baby Together
- Taylor Swift's No. 1 songs ranked, including 'Cruel Summer,' 'All Too Well,' 'Anti-Hero'
- Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
- Chase Elliott triumphs at Texas, snaps 42-race winless streak in NASCAR Cup Series
- Carnie Wilson says she lost 40 pounds without Ozempic: 'I'm really being strict'
- Sade Robinson case: Milwaukee man Maxwell Anderson charged after human remains found
- US inflation may have picked up in October after months of easing
- Revenge's Emily VanCamp and Josh Bowman Welcome Baby No. 2
Ranking
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- The Civil War raged and fortune-seekers hunted for gold. This era produced Arizona’s abortion ban
- Is orange juice good for you? Why one woman's 'fruitarianism' diet is causing controversy.
- See the fans of Coachella Weekend 1 in photos including Taylor Swift and Paris Hilton
- Love Actually Secrets That Will Be Perfect to You
- Pilot using a backpack-style paramotor device dies when small aircraft crashes south of Phoenix
- Rubber duck lost at sea for 18 years found 423 miles away from its origin in Dublin
- Haiti gang violence escalates as U.S. evacuation flights end with final plane set to land in Miami
Recommendation
-
Colorado police shot, kill mountain lion after animal roamed on school's campus
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce dance to Bleachers, Ice Spice at Coachella
-
U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread
-
Pregnant Jenna Dewan Seeking Millions From Ex Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Income
-
Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term
-
K-Pop singer Park Boram dead at 30, according to reports
-
Divisive? Not for moviegoers. ‘Civil War’ declares victory at box office.
-
From Stanley cups to Samsung phones, this duo launches almost anything into space. Here’s why.