The Joy of Padel

In this episode of Joy of Padel, Minter Dial welcomes Hungarian #1 and current world number 136 padel professional Dóra Andrejszki, who shares her unique journey from collegiate tennis in the United States to training and competing on the international padel circuit. With candour and thoughtfulness, Dóra Andrejszki recounts the challenges and revelations she faced in transitioning to padel—initial reluctance, adapting her tennis skills, and the pivotal role of community and mindset in her sporting evolution.

The discussion unpacks the subtleties of playing padel both outdoors and indoors, delving into the psychology of embracing challenging conditions, and...

In this episode of Joy of Padel, Minter Dial welcomes Dani Dios, a veteran of the sport with over 26 years of experience, whose journey has taken him from the ATP tennis circuit in Spain to the forefront of padel’s global expansion. With roots as a professional tennis player, Dani Dios shares how a humbling early defeat on the padel court ignited his passion for the game and led him to become an influential coach, entrepreneur, and executive leader within the sport.

Throughout this engaging conversation, Dani Dios reflects on his evolution from running tennis and padel ac...

For this episode of Joy of Padel, I reverted to Google's NotebookLM to create a conversation between two AI-generated voices (so-named Elle and Jim) about how to play against and with a left-handed player.

Elle and Jim unpack the astonishing dynamics of left-handed dominance within the fast-evolving world of padel. Drawing on an arsenal of data from Minter Dial, elite tactical breakdowns from coaches at A.P. padel and the Padel School, and candid insights from top professional Jon Sanz, the hosts explore why left-handed players—despite comprising just 10% of the population—are hoarding a disproportionate percentage of t...

‼️ ALERT: I made a mistake in the upload first time. It's now fixed. Please refresh in order to get the right recording with Nick (apologies 🫣 !!)

In this episode of JOY OF PADEL, number 8 of season 4, Minter Dial is joined by Nick Baker, a fellow padel enthusiast and leading figure in the UK’s burgeoning padel scene. With a background spanning lawn tennis, squash, and, notably, real tennis, Nick offers a unique perspective on the versatility and challenges of adapting to padel’s distinctive dynamics. The conversation traverses his sporting upbringing, the physical and social allure of p...

In this episode of JOY OF PADEL, I am joined by Alessandro Ossola, Paralympic athlete, founder of Bionic People and the Inclusive Padel Tour, and champion of positive change in sport. Connected through a shared love of padel, I sit down with Alessandro for an inspiring, wide-ranging conversation about resilience, redefining limits, and making the court accessible for all.

Alessandro shares his remarkable journey from suffering a life-altering motorbike accident to competing in the Tokyo Paralympics, candidly reflecting on the mental hurdles, the transformative power of sport, and how the support of community fuelled his comeback. We...

In this episode of JOY OF PADEL, Minter Dial welcomes Diego Campos, a seasoned padel player, investor, and key figure in the explosive growth of padel in the United States. Based in Miami but originally from Mexico City—where padel finds its roots—Diego Campos brings both personal passion and deep strategic insight to the conversation.

The exchange traces Diego Campos's journey from competitive tennis to falling in love with padel, sharing the transition’s challenges and unique joys. Together, the pair explore how Miami’s padel landscape has evolved from two humble clubs to a vibrant scene, a...

This interview was conducted in Spanish. If you would like to have the subtitles, please head over to the Joy of Padel channel on YouTube.

Here are the toplines of what we discussed (in English).

1. Introduction and Beginnings in Padel

Introduction of Ariana Sánchez as a professional padel player.

Brief personal description and values.

Initial moments of her professional career and reaching number 1 in the world.

2. Experiences and Emotions Upon Reaching Number One

Fulfillment of c...

In this episode, Minter sits down with Flight Lieutenant Ben Hanley, whose journey into padel began unexpectedly after a military posting to Madrid in 2022. With zero background in racket sports but a willingness to dive in, Ben Hanley quickly discovered how padel could not only transform his own life but also build community within the military and beyond.

From his very first game to becoming a certified coach with the M3 Academy, Ben Hanley shares how padel’s addictive simplicity hooked him—and how he's now championing its growth across UK armed forces bases. You’ll hear about...

In this episode, host Minter sits down with the inspiring Pep Stonor, a passionate padel player and founder of Empower Padel. Pep shares her journey from discovering padel on a holiday in Portugal to becoming an early adopter in the UK during the COVID lockdowns, and eventually representing Australia at the international level. Together, they explore the unique social spirit of padel, the transition challenges for tennis converts, and the empowering potential of the sport—especially for women and girls.

Listen in as Pep Stonor recounts the joys and challenges of building a global community through Empower Pa...

Welcome to a brand new season of JOY OF PADEL! We’re kicking off with a true rising star in the sport – Belgian padel ace Clément Geens, who rocketed into the world’s top 100 after picking up the game just five years ago. In this episode, Minter sits down with Clément Geens to explore his unique journey from a hockey-playing family to the upper echelons of international padel, his transition from tennis, and the passion that makes padel addictively fun.

Get ready for an inside look at what it takes to forge a pro career in this...

Special Edition: Nominations and Voting in The British Padel Awards 2026

This episode of JOY OF PADEL celebrates the launch of the British Padel Awards 2026, as host Minter energizes listeners with exciting news for the UK padel community. Minter kicks off this fourth season by announcing that the BPA has 21 categories honoring the players, clubs, coaches, innovators, and legends who are shaping British padel as the fastest growing sport in the world. Run by Anthony Daulphin and featuring a world-class MC duo, the awards are positioned as a true highlight for everyone passionate about the game.

...

This episode of JOY OF PADEL features Camille Huyghues Despointes, French entrepreneur and co-founder (with me) of Pango, to discuss her journey from theater studies and multiple startups to launching an innovative padel app. Camille shares how her experience in show jumping shaped her understanding of partnership and energy, and why she fell in love with padel's accessibility and social nature. The discussion explores Pango’s mission to redefine player ratings and foster a global padel community.

Key points:

Pango addresses real padel player problems, offering a unique, community-driven rating system.

Padel’s joyf...

Emily Kilner, BBC New Voice Award winner and Premier Padel commentator, shares her journey from England Under-21 hockey international to becoming one of padel's most distinctive voices. Broadcasting and interviewing in both English and Spanish, Emily discusses the art of commentary, the strategic nuances that separate professional padel from amateur play, and why longer rallies in women's padel offer invaluable lessons for recreational players. Key points include the importance of understanding padel as a strategic, team-oriented sport rather than a power game, and how building context around player relationships creates compelling narratives that distinguish padel from other sports.

Bill Ullman, co-Founder of the Anglo-American Cup and President of the United States Padel Association (USPA), shares his journey from squash to padel and his vision for the sport's growth in the US. He discusses the challenges of adapting to padel from other racket sports, the development of a padel culture, and the importance of sustainable growth. Bill offers insights into the USPA's role in expanding padel across the country, the potential impact of celebrity involvement, and the creation of the Anglo-American Cup.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This 19th episode of season 3 of the Joy of Padel podcast episode features Andi Neugarten, founder of Six Love Sports, the largest women's padel community in the USA. Andi discusses her journey into padel, the sport's growth in America, and her mission to empower women through padel. She shares insights on the social aspects of padel, the differences between US and European padel cultures, and her business model for building a thriving women's padel community. The conversation also touches on the importance of communication in padel and Andi's plans for international expansion.

Key points:

1. Padel's...

Aimee Gibson, GB's number one padel player and world-ranked 85, shares her journey from tennis to padel in this Joy of Padel podcast. She discusses her transition, training methods, and the mental aspects of the game. Aimee offers insights into professional padel, including partner selection, tournament strategies, and the challenges of competing at the top level. She emphasizes the importance of mental strength in padel and shares her admiration for top pairs like Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria as well as the new reining number ones of Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea. Aimee also reveals her favorite shot, the chiquita...

THIS INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN SPANISH 🇪🇸. IT'S AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE WITH SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH 🇬🇧!!

Juanjo Gutiérrez, former professional padel player and current coach of the Spanish national team, shares insights into his career and the evolution of padel. He discusses the transition from tennis to padel, his experiences as a player and coach, and the dynamics of selecting and managing a national team. Juanjo offers a unique perspective on the emotional and tactical aspects of coaching, particularly during high-stakes moments like the 2024 World Championships in Doha. He also explores the future of padel, emphasizing the sport's increasing ph...

Mark Hewlett, founder of Soul Padel, reveals how a traumatic experience led him to discover the transformative power of padel. His journey from rugby player to padel pioneer is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode #16, Mark shares the genesis of Soul Padel and its mission to make padel accessible to all. We explore how this fast-growing sport is building communities and bridging social divides across the UK.

Here are 3 key takeaways from our chat with Mark:

- Community-Centric Approach: Soul Padel's focus on creating welcoming spaces where everyone can meet, play, and...

This podcast features Gonzalo Lorenzo, a padel coach and YouTube sensation, discussing his journey in the sport and coaching philosophy. Gonzalo shares insights on player improvement, communication strategies, and the culture of padel. He emphasizes the importance of playing percentage shots and reducing unforced errors. The conversation also explores the growing popularity of padel worldwide and the potential impact of AI on the sport's analytics. Gonzalo's YouTube channel, Padel Drive, has gained significant traction, attracting viewers from unexpected places like Indonesia.

Key points:

1. Gonzalo stresses the importance of playing safe, challenging shots with at least 80...

Juan Martín Díaz, padel legend, shares his journey from his beginnings in tennis to becoming a padel professional. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the game and the evolution toward a more physical sport. Díaz describes himself as an offensive player with exceptional reflexes, emphasizing the importance of compatibility with his playing partner.

He analyzes the differences between the Argentine and Spanish schools of padel and comments on the recent World Championship in Doha. He offers his perspective on the current professional circuit, suggesting improvements in organization and player participation in dec...

Elena Martín, partner at PwC and co-author of the 2025 Global Padel Report, joins the Joy of Padel podcast to discuss the sport's explosive growth. She shares insights on padel's global expansion, including the projected 81,000 courts worldwide by 2027 and the USA's potential to become the largest market. Elena delves into the factors driving padel's popularity, such as its accessibility and social nature, and explores emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East. The conversation also touches on the sport's Olympic aspirations and the challenges it faces in achieving that goal. This episode offers padel aficionados a comprehensive look at t...

The Rise of Padel in Saudi Arabia: Najwa Salhab's Journey (JOPS03E12)

My latest Joy of Padel episode features Najwa Salhab, a rising star from Saudi Arabia's national padel team. Najwa's journey from casual player to national representative is truly inspiring.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The rapid growth of padel in Saudi Arabia

• Najwa's transition from amateur to competitive player

• The importance of strategy and communication in padel

• How padel skills translate to life and business

• Insights on watching professional padel matches

Najwa of...

From Wall Practice to World Stages: Marta Talaván's Padel Rise (JOPS03E11)

I'm thrilled to share my latest Joy of Padel podcast episode featuring the incredible Marta Talaván, a top-ranked professional padel player and board member. Marta offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of pro padel, from her journey as a young player to her current role shaping the sport's future.

We dive deep into the nuances of playing right side in padel, discussing technique, strategy, and the mental game. Marta shares her approach to softening her shots and improving decision-making on co...

London's padel scene is exploding, and we've got the inside scoop. Did you know there are now 166 courts across 42 venues in the city?

In our latest Joy of Padel episode, we dive deep into the data behind London's padel revolution. From premium clubs to pop-up courts, we explore the diverse landscape shaping this fast-growing sport.

Here are 3 key insights from our analysis:

- Rapid Growth: London has seen a staggering increase in padel courts, with plans for even more expansion. We break down the numbers and reveal the hotspots.

- Tech...

Evolving in Padel: Fredrik Ask's Coaching Philosophy (JOPS03E10)

I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Joy of Padel, featuring Fredrik Ask, Norway's top padel player. Fredrik's transition from tennis to padel is a captivating story, and he shares invaluable insights into the sport's intricacies.

In this episode, we explore:

- The shift from tennis to padel

- Strategies for creating space on the court

- The significance of reading your opponent's racket

- Tips for finding the ideal padel partner

Fredrik also...

From Football to Padel: Loïc Fery's Insights on Sports Management (JOPS03E09)

I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Joy of Padel, featuring the dynamic Loïc Fery. Known for his ventures in finance and as the owner of FC Lorient, Loïc has now immersed himself in the world of padel.

In this episode, we explore Loïc's journey from tennis to padel, discussing his passion for the sport and his involvement in the Hexagon Cup with his team, 10 Padel (along with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Diana Kyllmann). Loïc share...

EPISODE JOPS03E08

EPISODE IS IN SPANISH

You can find it on Youtube with English subtitles here: https://youtu.be/paV-2J_VWgo

Viviana Corcuera, esposa de Enrique Corcuera con quien cofundó el pádel, comparte la fascinante historia del deporte desde sus inicios en 1969. Relata cómo evolucionó el equipamiento, desde raquetas de madera hasta las modernas que permiten jugadas espectaculares. Viviana destaca el carácter intergeneracional del pádel y su capacidad para unir familias. Recuerda anécdotas con personalidades como Henry Kissinger y describe la expansi...

This Joy of Padel episode features Johannes Thomhave, CEO of Padel TV, discussing the challenges and opportunities in broadcasting padel matches. As a padel aficionado, Johannes shares insights on filming techniques, the growth of padel in Sweden and the UK, and the importance of globalizing the sport. He emphasizes the need for high-quality production, including multiple cameras, instant replays, and advanced statistics to enhance viewer experience. The conversation also touches on Padel TV's business model and future expansion plans.

Key points:

1. Padel TV aims to professionalize padel broadcasting by producing high-quality content with multiple cameras...

Ksenia Sharifova, a rising star (currently world number 23) in professional padel, shares her journey from tennis to padel and the challenges of finding the right partner in this insightful padel podcast. As a padel aficionado, Ksenia discusses the intricacies of shot selection, court positioning, and the mental aspects of the game. She offers a candid perspective on the competitive world of professional padel, including the delicate balance of partnerships and the importance of a strong support system. Ksenia's passion for padel shines through as she describes her favorite shots and players, providing valuable insights for both amateur and professional...

This podcast features Seb Gordon, co-founder of Rocket Padel, discussing his journey in the sport and the growth of padel in the UK. Gordon shares insights from his experience in Sweden's padel boom and how he's applying those lessons to develop premium indoor padel facilities in Britain. The conversation covers the importance of community in padel, the challenges of coaching development, and Rocket Padel's expansion plans across London and beyond.

Key points:

1. The transition from tennis to padel and the therapeutic aspects of the sport's community feel.

2. The significance of...

This podcast features Jonathan Rowland, a padel aficionado since 2004, discussing his journey in the sport and his venture, R3 Sport. Rowland shares insights on padel's growth in the UK, his experiences playing in unconventional settings, and his vision for developing the sport professionally. The conversation delves into the challenges of competing with established padel nations and the importance of nurturing young talent. Key points include Rowland's approach to sponsoring players and the role of celebrity involvement in promoting padel. The podcast highlights the joy of padel and its potential as an Olympic sport, emphasising the need for continued support...

Carolina Orsi, Italian padel champion, shares her journey from tennis to professional padel on the Joy of Padel podcast. She discusses the challenges of learning padel's unique wall play, the importance of repetition in mastering the sport, and the differences between men's and women's padel. Orsi offers insights into her training regimen, focusing on physical preparation and mental skills to break into the top 20 rankings. The conversation explores padel's rapid growth in Italy, the joy of watching professional matches, and Orsi's perspective on choosing the right partner. This padel podcast provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of professional...

In this episode of the padel podcast, I chat with Tomoaki (Tom) Murasawa, the coach of Japan's national padel teams. Tomaki shares his personal journey from tennis to padel, discussing how the sport has evolved in Japan since the first court opened in 2013. With only about 50 courts across the country, the passion for padel is evident. We touch on the need for more investment to grow the sport's infrastructure and how it can better fit into Japanese culture. Tomaki also highlights the importance of strategic play and deception to enhance the skills of Japanese players.

...

This podcast features an engaging conversation with Brittany Dubins, the top-ranked female padel player in the United States. Brittany shares her journey from tennis to professional padel, discussing the challenges and joys of the sport. She offers insights into the unique aspects of padel, including partner dynamics and strategic play. The discussion covers Brittany's experiences at the 2024 World Championships in Doha and her thoughts on the future of padel in the US. This episode provides a fascinating look into the world of professional padel from an American perspective.

Key points:

1. The importance of partner compatibility...

This episode is a bit special. First, it's not in the usual form of an interview that I conduct with a padel connoisseur or celebrity. While based on a real article I wrote, it was converted into a podcast thanks to the uncannily good NotebookLLM (by Google). The artwork for this episode was created by Dall-ee (OpenAI) on a custom-trained dataset.

This conversation, between two AI voices, focuses on padel etiquette, outlining unwritten rules for maintaining a positive playing experience. I must note that the machine only knows how to pronounce padel the American...

In this episode of the Joy of Padel, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jonas Bjorkman, the renowned tennis player who has embraced the world of padel. Jonas shares his personal journey from tennis to padel, which began in Portugal, and highlights what makes the sport so appealing both socially and competitively. As the manager of the Swedish national men's padel team, he opens up about the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from tennis to padel, stressing the importance of teamwork and adapting to the sport's unique dynamics. Jonas also delves into the cultural aspects of padel...

In this episode, I chatted during the World Championships in Doha 2024 with Alejandra Salazar, a hugely important and prominent figure in padel. Alejandra shares her journey from discovering padel at age eight to becoming a top player across three decades. She attributes her success to adaptability and continuous learning, emphasizing the importance of believing in oneself, even in challenging times. Alejandra also discusses the significance of communication with partners and how she balances her aggressive playstyle with strategic positioning on the court. And vision for padel's future? Check out the full episode to find out!

...

In this episode of "The Joy of Padel," I have the pleasure of speaking with Calle Åkesson, the General Secretary of the Swedish Padel Federation. Calle shares his personal journey from being a sports enthusiast to playing a pivotal role in the development of padel in Sweden. He talks about the sport's rapid growth during the pandemic and the current phase of consolidation. Calle emphasizes the importance of collaboration between commercial venues and nonprofit clubs to promote padel effectively. We also discuss Sweden's efforts to nurture top players and the unique culture of padel, which combines individual skill with t...

In this episode, I welcome Tom Murray, a key figure in the padel world, to discuss his journey from tennis to padel and his role as Head of Padel at the LTA. Tom shares his early experiences in Spain, where he transitioned from tennis to padel, and the challenges he faced in promoting the sport in the UK. The conversation delves into the cultural and strategic aspects of padel, including the importance of covered courts in England's climate and the integration of padel into traditional tennis clubs. Tom also highlights the LTA's efforts to develop padel coaching and youth...

In this episode, I sat down with Marta Ortega to explore her experiences at Roland Garros and the nuances of playing padel in varying conditions. Marta shares her awe at walking the same corridors as tennis legends and discusses the mental preparation required for unpredictable weather shifts. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and maintaining a positive outlook. The conversation also delves into the evolution of the padel industry, highlighting the transition from the World Padel Tour to FIP and the impact of new venues. Marta reflects on the significance of trust in choosing partners and the crucial role...