Time to hop on the fastest growing sport… padel!

I was fortunate enough to work as a Padel TV commentator and presenter for my first padel tournament, the R3 Bullpadel Cup’s British Tour! 

Padel is a sport that I have been itching to get involved with for a while now. So when I was in conversation with R3 Sport (a sports enterprise revolving around a deep-rooted passion for padel tennis) and Padel TV (the LTA’s Official Broadcast Partner for Padel in the UK), I was super excited to get started. 

The event took place in Surbiton, where they have just opened their fresh looking new padel courts. The R3 Bullpadel Cup was the perfect way to christen them. 

It is always challenging commentating and presenting on a sport you haven’t covered before. So as this was the case, I did a lot of research in preparation. I wanted to understand the journey that the players have been on to get to where they are now, but I also wanted to better understand the sport and how it has got to become the fastest growing sport that everyone is talking about. 

While this is challenging, it is extremely rewarding. I was so impressed by the level of padel on display all weekend but perhaps more importantly for the sport, I was absolutely engrossed in the entertainment it was providing for me as the broadcaster and for the fans in the stands! 

A massive shout out to George from The Padel Directory and Robin, the Padel Coach at East Grinstead Tennis Club for jumping on as co-commentators for finals day. 

Thank you to Padel TV for having me join their team. I can’t wait for the next! 

By Alex Hyman

Alex Hyman Sport Media