Humans of Padel

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A scorching debut became a blueprint: we learned fast, listened to players and fans, and rebuilt Dubai Premier Padel into a 7,000-seat indoor experience at Hamdan Sports Complex with four courts, live practice viewing, and better flow from parking to food. Ticket demand is up, vendors are lining up, and the community program is already underway with clinics, wildcards, and activations.

• what worked and what didn’t in 2024
• heat, scheduling, and player safety protocols
• converting practice courts and overnight broadcast fixes
• lessons for fan comfort and venue flow
• why Hamdan Sports Complex and why indoor
• four adjacent competition courts for seamless viewing
• practice courts in the lobby as live activations
• clearer commercial avenue and vendor visibility
• stronger player facilities and recovery areas
• parking, VIP segmentation, and access upgrades
• F&B strategy for all‑day stays
• ticket sales momentum and pricing range
• community legacy program and wildcards timeline
• multi‑year vision and what success looks like

Buy tickets: https://dubaipremierpadel.ae/

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Contact Haris: [email protected]
https://www.padelos.co

The padel industry has evolved from memberships to experience-focused business models, requiring sophisticated booking systems to bridge the gap. Harris, founder of PadelOS, explains how his club-centric platform differs from player-focused marketplaces like Playtomic.

• Padel clubs tend to be more business-minded than traditional tennis clubs, focusing on experience over membership
• Technology creates direct relationships between clubs and players, similar to how airlines now have dedicated apps
• Club-centric systems like PadelOS prioritize operational efficiency versus marketplace systems focused on player acquisition
• AI integration can enhance customer service, optimize court usage, and automate tedious administrative tasks
• Specialized membership models (like student summer memberships) can dramatically increase revenue
• Transitioning from marketplace systems typically causes a temporary dip before producing stronger long-term growth
• Data ownership and direct customer relationships are crucial for ambitious clubs looking to build community
• Future developments include automated training scheduling and personalized recommendations

The sports booking technology landscape is shifting toward systems that empower clubs to control their data, operations, and customer relationships while automating administrative tasks.

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Slava, a former tennis coach who recently returned to Ukraine from Dubai, shares his journey of becoming the coach of Ukraine's women's national padel team and his insights on how the sport is growing despite wartime challenges.

• Padel is rapidly growing in Ukraine with 6-7 clubs currently open and more planned, despite the ongoing war
• In Odesa, just two courts serve the entire city and remain booked solid for two weeks in advance
• Around 70-80% of new padel players in Ukraine have no previous tennis experience
• Slava prefers coaching padel over tennis due to its vibrant atmosphere and less physically demanding nature
• The Ukrainian Padel Federation organizes weekly tournaments and has appointed Slava as head coach of the women's national team
• Land costs (approximately $500,000) present a major challenge for opening new padel clubs in Ukraine
• Ukraine will compete in the European Championship qualifications in Madrid this July
• Many Ukrainian football stars including Andrei Shevchenko are embracing padel
• Slava sees padel as "a very intelligent game" requiring strategic thinking and tactical awareness

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Jodi Cullity shares her entrepreneurial journey from working at the White House and Expo 2020 Dubai to founding ELEVENO Pickleball, a multimillion-dollar business combining sports, food and beverage, and entertainment.

• Building a pickleball club that generates $6-10 million in revenue through a 40/30/30 model (food and beverage, corporate events, pickleball)
• Creating community-focused experiences rather than just court time
• Using pop-up events and data collection to prove business concept and win over landlords
• Financial breakdown of pickleball clubs ($400K minimum investment, potential for $1-11M annual revenue)
• How pickleball accessibility drives growth (courts cost $5K vs $50K for padel)
• The psychology behind open-format courts creating better networking opportunities
• Strategies for partnerships with hospitals, schools, and corporate sponsors
• Importance of targeting beginners rather than advanced players for revenue
• Growth of college scholarships and professional leagues in pickleball
• Personal transformation journey that inspired her business approach

Reach out to Jodi on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodicullity?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

 if you're interested in investing in ELEVENO Pickleball or exploring partnership opportunities in the racket sports space.

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Max sits down with Charles, founder of La French Tennis Academy, IG: @lafrenchtennis, in Dubai, for an insightful conversation about tennis coaching methodology and player development through a French perspective.

• The French Tennis Academy focuses on building strong fundamentals, especially for young players
• Technique is important for beginners but shouldn't be the primary focus at advanced levels
• Top tennis players share strong mental and physical capabilities despite having different techniques
• The harsh reality of professional tennis where only top 100-150 players make a comfortable living
• Tennis develops valuable life skills like resilience, independence, and the ability to reset after setbacks
• Four or five is a good age to start tennis but children should try multiple sports
• Coaching approach for young children should prioritize fun and positive reinforcement
• When coaching children, visual cues and games work better than technical instructions
• Recent rule changes allowing coaching during matches help modernize tennis
• Five-set matches at Grand Slams should remain as they represent the ultimate physical and mental challenge

Connect with Charles and the French Tennis Academy on Instagram @lafrenchtennis or book a lesson with Charles or coach Danny to experience the French vision of tennis coaching.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_scoring_system#History

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website: www.tennibot.com

Instagram @tennibot

The episode explores the transformative impact of Tennibot, a robotic ball collector and training partner for racket sports. Haitham Eletrabi discusses how Tennibot enhances practice sessions for players and coaches, increasing efficiency and providing valuable training support. 
• Introduction to Tennibot and its offerings 
• Haytham's personal journey and business inception 
• The technological advancements of Tennibot 
• Integration of AI in sports training 
• Benefits for both casual players and professionals 
• Market trends and expansion potential 
• Software adaptations for different racket sports 
• Future plans for performance analysis capabilities 
• How to purchase a Tennibot and their pricing

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Instagram: @dr.bideau @healhub_rehab


We dive into the common injuries faced by padel players and explore preventive measures to reduce risks. Osteopath Nicolas Bideau shares expert insights on training loads, proper equipment, and lifestyle choices that enhance longevity in the sport.

• Discussing the role of osteopathy in sports medicine
• Identifying common injuries among padel players
• Understanding how to minimize the risk of injuries
• Addressing specific conditions like tennis elbow and shoulder issues
• Importance of proper equipment and technique adaptations
• Incorporating recovery practices into athletic routines
• Highlighting the significance of sleep and nutrition in injury prevention
• Recommendations for maintaining long-term health in padel

References: 

Should I stretch?
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Effect of stretching on sport injury risk: a review - Hart (2005), J Sport Med.
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A systematic review into the efficacy of static stretching as part of a warm-up for the
prevention of exercise-related injury - Small & al. (2009), Res Sports Med.
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Acute Effects of Static Stretching on Muscle Strength and Power: An Attempt to
Clarify Previous Caveats - Chaabene & al. (2019), Front Physiol.
Pain education / psychosocial aspect (each chapter takes 1 minute to read)
https://www.retrainpai...
Cold plunges
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Effects of cold water immersion after exercise on fatigue, recovery and exercise
performance – meta analysis - Xiao & al. (2023), Front Physiol.

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Hernan Alessi shares his journey from Argentina to Dubai, offering insights into the evolution of padel, coaching relationships, and the sport's future. With a focus on community and personal growth, this episode explores the shared passion that enhances the padel experience for all involved.

• Hernan's introduction to padel at age 14 in Argentina 
• Evolution of padel rackets and court design over the decades 
• The art of defense as a key element of successful gameplay 
• Coaching as a relationship-building practice for player retention 
• The rapid growth of padel in Dubai and its opportunities 
• The potential for youth academies to enhance padel's future 
• Discussions on innovative changes to padel rules and structures 
• Hernan's aspirations for opening a padel club in Mallorca

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What happens when a football and tennis enthusiast discovers a new passion that changes the course of her life? Join me as I sit down with my good friend Ji, who shares her remarkable journey into the world of padel. From her initial skepticism to becoming a passionate advocate for the sport, Ji takes us through the personal challenges she faced, including making financial sacrifices to pursue lessons. We also touch on the sport's rapid growth in Sweden during the pandemic and Ji's unique experience of reconnecting with her Thai roots through competition.

The world of padel is not just about the sport itself; it’s about the partnerships and friendships that grow out of it. With Ji, we explore the dynamics of playing with different partners and how communication is crucial in these interactions. Padel is more than just a game—it's a social activity that fosters connection and personal growth. We dive into the growing popularity of paddle in Thailand and the challenges of making it more accessible to everyone, emphasizing the need for community and government support.

Imagine a world where paddle brings people together across the globe. Ji shares how this sport has influenced her life, from fostering new friendships and boosting self-esteem to providing a sense of community after her move to Dubai. We celebrate the inclusivity of padel, which welcomes all ages and skill levels, and discuss the qualities that make top players shine. As we wrap up our conversation, we envision paddle as a unifying global pastime, leaving listeners with a sense of joy and anticipation for future discussions.

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Instagram: @tastyplayhard
What if two strangers on a padel court could transform their chance meeting into a thriving brand? Join us for a delightful episode featuring Gabo and Riikka from Tasty Play Hard, as they reveal how a shared passion for padel and an uncanny connection across Finland and Mexico led to the creation of Tasty Play Hard Academy. We explore the playful origins of their brand name, conceived amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discover how their venture has expanded into realms like book writing, a YouTube channel, and even urban fashion. Their journey is a testament to how fun and creativity can flourish, even in the toughest of times.

Gabo and Riikka introduce us to their new coaching book, "The Tasty Way," which distills essential padel strategies alongside emotional insights into the game. With memorable coaching phrases and consistent teaching methods, they aim to enhance players' tactical and emotional skills on the court. The episode also contrasts the dynamic nature of paddle with the mindful presence demanded by golf, emphasizing the role of emotional intelligence. As we listen to their inspiring story, we learn the art of balancing multiple endeavors while keeping the joy alive in the sport they adore.