The business backed by tennis star Sir Andy Murray has raised another £1.3 million to develop a UK-wide network of playing facilities for padel tennis and is hoping to build up to 300 courts in five years.

Edinburgh-based Game4Padel has completed its third funding round, helping finance its expansion plans for what is billed as one of the world’s fastest-growing participation sports. It is played with four participants in a glass-enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court. This latest equity round values Game4Padel at £10m, and takes the total brought in to more than £2.5m.

Last month, Game4Padel signed heads of terms with Europe’s largest retail destination Westfield London to install and operate courts that are expected to open in January 2022.

In April, the firm opened the first-ever padel tennis venue in Wales, at Windsor Penarth. It is also in “detailed” discussions with some 50 other sites – including major retail destinations, business parks, leisure centres as well as sports venues – which it anticipates will add more than 50 courts to the seven already in use at its five current UK venues. It also recently opened a trial court at St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Surrey.

The firm says padel devotees include Rafael Nadal, David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola as well as tennis stars Sir Andy Murray and Jamie Murray.

Source: The Scotsman. Read the full report by Emma Newlands here.

Padel instructor Marcos del Pilar (left) gives some pointers to WHYY reporter Peter Crimmins at the pop-up padel courts on Venice Island in Manayunk. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

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Philadelphia gets a taste of padel tennis with the sport’s first public facility in the U.S, located in a public park at the Venice Island Recreation Center in the Manayunk neighborhood.

The racquet sport, a cross between tennis and squash, is popular in South American and Europe, especially in Spain, where there are thousands of padel tennis courts. Although still not well-known in the United States, the number of padel courts in America is at now at 65 and growing, according to Lee Sponaugle, president of All Racquet Courts. Read the full story by Peter Crimmins at WHYY.org.

Salt Lake City, UT — All Racquet Sports has announced that the first “Made in the USA” padel tennis court was recently completed outside of Reading, Pa. The court and design lead the way to meet the future demands for the growth of the fastest growing sport in the world. Padel tennis started in Mexico, found its way to Argentina and exploded in popularity in Europe. 

The sport has grown to a $600 million industry with 12 million players in 78 countries. There are 35 International Federations and a World Padel Tour with TV broadcasts and venue stops around the globe. 

“Social, fun and addictive are words used to describe the sport,” notes Lee Sponaugle, President, All Racquet Sports. “The sport is easy to learn and hard to master. The whole family can play together.” With over 30,000 courts worldwide, Sponaugle looks forward to a Great Court Building Campaign in the USA where padel can help grow the entire racquet sports industry through increased club memberships, equipment sales, lessons and leagues.

The Made in the USA padel tennis court was designed and built by Scott Grote, President of Padel Court Construction and Design, All Racquet Courts. “The sport that was born outside the U.S. is now Built in America and Played in America,” says Grote. “Our goal was to create a court where the components could be sourced and constructed in the U.S.” This court uses an Amish US steel fabricator in Lancaster, PA, a turf playing surface from Dalton, GA and tempered glass walls manufactured in Pittsburgh, PA. Grote created a architecturally appealing court, using less steel. The glass corners provide additional viewing angles for spectators and increased playability for the players. 

With the growth of other racquet sports, padel tennis is well positioned to appeal to 25-55 year olds looking for a great workout, social connection and diversity in their health and wellness activities.

For more information of All Racquet Sports and the sport of padel visit www.allracquetsports.com and find them on Instagram and Facebook, or contact lee@allracquetsports.com.