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There are now 70,000 padel courts worldwide, with the sport experiencing a boom latelyCredit: AFP<\/p>\n
A cross between tennis and squash, and played on an enclosed court, padel has sky-rocketed in popularity in recent years.<\/p>\n
So much so in fact, that it is now the world’s fastest growing sport, with 23,000 padel clubs currently located across over 150 countries. <\/p>\n
It isn’t hard to see why the game has boomed, having attracted a host of big-name celebrities as fans.<\/p>\n
These range from football megastars such as Lionel Messi<\/a>, Neymar<\/a> and David Beckham<\/a>, to tennis icons Serena Williams and Andy Murray, and even pop sensation Shakira.<\/p>\n After a slow start to life in the UK, padel has well and truly broken out of its box as a niche sport, with over 400,000 people in Great Britain taking to the court at least once in the last year.<\/p>\n And that figure could be even bigger this time next year, once the country has played host to a thrilling new competition.<\/p>\n On Friday, 64 leading players will descend on The Padel Hub in north London for the inaugural Anglo American Padel Cup.<\/p>\n Inspired by transatlantic team tournaments like the Ryder Cup<\/a> and sailing’s Americas Cup, the two-day event will see the best of Great Britain and the United States’ padel stars compete in both Open and Age Group divisions<\/p>\n Among the headline acts is GB captain Cameron Dollimore, and he joined talkSPORT.com from the O2 Arena’s Padel Social Club, a chain backed by UK rapper Stormzy, to look ahead to a landmark moment for the sport.<\/p>\n ‘It’s going to be very, very tasty’<\/p>\n When asked what leading out his country means to him, Dollimore replied: \u201cIt’s a massive honour.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Cristiano Ronaldo is one of many leading sports stars to enjoy a game of padelCredit: instagram:@cristiano<\/p>\n “Representing your country in the first place, but then also to lead them into this battle is going to be great.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI found out about it about two months ago – they sent me an email.<\/p>\n \u201cA few of my friends are also playing, asked me if I wanted to get involved and I said: ‘Yes’ immediately – I couldn’t be happier.\u201d<\/p>\n If September’s Ryder Cup showed us anything, it’s just how fierce competitive international team events can get.<\/p>\n Team Europe overcame a spirited US comeback attempt and an onslaught of fan abuse<\/a> to successfully defend their continental crown at Bethpage Black in New York.<\/p>\n And Dollimore believes padel’s debut in this format will be no different to its golf counterpart, as he promised plenty of commitment from his Britain team.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Dollimore revealed his GB team will take inspiration from Rory McIlroy and co. at last month’s Ryder CupCredit: Getty<\/p>\n On whether the Anglo American Cup could replicate the Ryder Cup feel, he said: \u201cI think it will be similar. I think it’s going to be very, very tasty.<\/p>\n “What we’re going to do, is we’re planning to keep that lead.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf we get that lead at the start, we’re going to punish them and we’re not going to let them come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Detailing his feelings, Dollimore added: \u201cA lot of emotions – super excited, competitive. <\/p>\n “We’re not going to be showing any mercy just because it’s the first event. I mean, I love my Americans, but we’re there to compete and have a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n And the professional star was in no doubt just how pivotal the upcoming international padel showdown will prove in the growing the sport in the long run.<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Joe\u00a0Middleton is the founder of PULCO, the padel-specific clothing brand sponsoring the Anglo American Padel CupCredit: PULCO<\/p>\n Dollimore said: “It’s going to be in the history books for years to come. I’m thinking 50 years plus. <\/p>\n “You look at things like the Ryder Cup and other events like that and they’re huge now.<\/p>\n \u201cThey all had to start at some place and I think tomorrow is the start of something really big.\u201d<\/p>\n Could Padel become an Olympic sport?<\/p>\n Beyond the Anglo American showdown, there are even bigger plans for padel on the world stage, with the team captains calling on the Olympic Committee to consider it for the 2028 LA Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Recent editions have already seen the skateboarding, breakdancing and sport climbing introduced to the ultimate sporting event.<\/p>\n And Dollimore believes it is only a matter of time before we see padel join them as the Games’ new additions.<\/p>\n![\"Cristiano](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-23.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dollimore](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/15-13-win-team-america-1027467287.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Joe\u00a0Middleton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/000083490022-2.jpg\")
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