The Joy of Padel

‼️ 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 padel, and the nuances that set the game apart—whether it’s embracing the walls, battling overhead shots, or the all-important serve.

Together, Nick and Minter delve into the growth of padel in Britain, shining a spotlight on the rapid expansion of community-driven clubs, innovative approaches to building inclusive memberships, and the importance of nurturing juniors and school programmes. Listeners are treated to an insider’s account of launching and scaling clubs, the joy and skill-building opportunities singles courts can bring, and navigating the intricacies of club management in a sport still finding its footing outside its Spanish heartland.

The episode also explores the driving force behind the UK’s largest padel tournaments, the delicate balance of maintaining sportsmanship and fun, and the exciting trajectory for British players on the global stage. Whether you’re an experienced padel player, an aspiring club owner, or just padel-curious, this conversation is packed with practical advice, reflections on building community and culture, and a vision of what lies ahead for the JOY OF PADEL in the UK.
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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 explore what it means to adapt—how Alessandro shifted from 100m sprinting to the dynamic world of padel, the tactical and technical adjustments required, and why the game’s unique features make it so inclusive and appealing.

The discussion delves into Alessandro’s founding of the Inclusive Padel Tour—a pioneering circuit where each team brings together able-bodied and disabled players in the true spirit of sport. With insights into growing the tour from humble beginnings to a vibrant international community, Alessandro and I examine what it takes to build a movement, foster sponsorship, and ensure accessibility on and off the court.

Listeners will hear practical advice for club owners on making their facilities more welcoming, learn about the importance of visibility and information in encouraging new players, and discover why Alessandro believes padel has the power to change lives—whatever your background or ability.

If you’re passionate about inclusive sport, curious about breaking barriers in padel, or simply looking for stories of perseverance and purpose, this episode promises inspiration and practical steps to help everyone find their place on court. Join us as [Speaker A] and Alessandro Ossola reframe what’s possible in and beyond the world of padel.
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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, and why padel’s blend of fun, competition, and community continues to win converts around the world.

With Diego Campos also at the helm of Sunrise Capital, a pioneering sports investment fund specializing in padel, the discussion delves into what it takes to scale clubs in the US market, how to build “third spaces” that attract and retain players, and why focusing on amateur leagues and high-quality coaching is key to sustaining growth. He unpacks the business side of padel—including the role of brand, membership models, and infrastructure—and reveals why US cities are primed for the next wave of padel development.

The episode doesn’t shy away from the on-court action either. Diego Campos shares his favorite shots, his experiences playing with legends, and personal stories of joy that epitomize what makes padel so infectious. Whether you’re dreaming of opening your own club, seeking smart ways to invest in sports, or simply love a great game of padel, this episode is packed with first-hand anecdotes, practical wisdom, and a contagious enthusiasm for the sport’s bright future.

Tune in as JOY OF PADEL serves up a dynamic conversation with one of the sport’s most passionate advocates, offering fresh perspectives and actionable ideas for everyone fascinated by the rise of padel.
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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 childhood dreams.

Reflection on the sacrifices and support received (family, team).

Emotional reflections upon achieving this milestone.

3. Doubts, Criticism, and Playing Style

The difficulty of media exposure and criticism, especially through social media.

The difference between her playing style and other more "spectacular" styles.

Evaluation of teamwork and the role of each player within the pair.

4. Tips for Young Athletes and Social Media Management

Importance of focusing on what you can control (training, environment, team).

Risks and toxicity on social media.

Recommendations for not being swayed by external opinions and focusing on personal growth.

5. Staying Number One: Challenges and Personal Development

Difference between reaching and staying at the top.

Pressure of being a role model for other players.

Need to reinvent yourself and withstand constant pressure.

6. Sports Project with Andrea Ustero

Goals, medium- and long-term focus.

The promising start of the project and its implications.

Adaptation process and professional training for a young couple.

Need for patience and focus on joint growth.

7. Individual and Team Training

Ideal structure of a high-performance training environment.

Importance of combining team and individual training.

Clear roles within the team: coach, physical trainer, psychologist.

8. Areas for individual improvement in women's padel

Personal recognition of strengths and weaknesses in the game.

Focus on finishing more points and being more aggressive.

Adjusting roles based on the partner and complementing each other on the court.

9. Rivalry and personal development

Impact of competition on technical, tactical, and emotional development.

Importance of emotional control and mindset in elite sports.

Daily discipline as the foundation for competitive improvement.

10. Tactical fundamentals: the lob, the walls, and communication

Importance of the lob as a key shot in padel.

Importance of communication between partners during play.

Examples for instilling communication in new players.

11. Psychological work and mental management

Controlling thoughts in situations of pressure and fatigue.

Internal dialogue and how it has evolved with experience.

Managing your own and your partner's mistakes during a match.

12. Evolution and evaluation of women's padel

Professional and economic growth of women's padel.

Differences between women's and men's padel.

Importance for the spectator and tactical learning from women's padel.

13. Tactical intelligence on the court

Evolution in the ability to read matches and situations.

Importance of maturity and experience for a better understanding of the game.

14. Rule changes in padel and personal opinion

Opinion on the new rule changes, the serve, and the start point.

Proposed improvement: specific referees to oversee the serve.

Reflection on the balance between entertainment and sporting fairness.

15. Olympic projection and international expansion of padel

Opinion on the possible inclusion of padel in the Olympic Games.

The importance of increasing the number of competitive countries.

The need for grassroots development in different countries.

16. Memories and special moments in her career

Most memorable moments: winning her first tournament and reaching number one.

Emotional value of her achievements and their personal significance.
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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 the creative ways he’s overcoming logistical and policy hurdles to introduce the sport, including negotiations around infrastructure, accessible padel for rehabilitation, and even ambitions for a court in the Falkland Islands!

This episode is packed with heartwarming stories, from helping a colleague rediscover her passion for sport to using padel as a bridge for mental health and leadership development. Whether you’re new to padel or a seasoned player, Ben Hanley’s energy will leave you inspired to pick up a racket and connect with your community—maybe even with a post-match caña in hand.
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