Louie Harris is determined to seize a “massive opportunity” when he takes his place amongst padel royalty at the 2024 Pro Padel League (PPL), which starts on Tuesday in Miami.
The PPL is the first of its kind, and the only professional padel league in the world to feature team-based competition in a city-based, franchise format. The competition debuted last year with British No.1 Tia Norton part of the Las Vegas Smash team that lifted the inaugural title.
This year, the competition has expanded from seven to 10 teams, is being played over four qualifying events (two in Miami this month and two in Los Angeles in August) leading to the PPL Cup final in New York on 18-23 November. This year’s stellar roster of players includes five players ranked No.1 in their respective countries, along with Agustin Tapia and Ariana Sanchez Fallada, top players in the International Padel Federation (FIP) rankings.
The first events starts on Tuesday (2 April) at the ULTRA CLUB in Miami – and Welshman Louie cannot wait to make his PPL debut having been selected in last month’s draft by the San Diego Stringrays.
GB No.3 Louie flew out to Miami on Saturday and spent Easter weekend meet and training with his new team-mates – which include former world No.2 Miguel Lamperti, former world No.2 Maxi Sanchez and former world No.1 Lucia Sainz.
The 21-year-old told The Padel Paper: “It’s mega! It’s super exciting. I’ve never been to America before so just the fact of travelling over here alone is huge, but to be able to do that whilst playing padel in a big event like this is incredible.
“America are known for having massive sporting competitions so to be able to compete in a tournament on such a big scale is huge. The level is so high in my team and all the other teams too, so it’s going to be very special.”
Cardiff-born Louie, a former personal trainer, won six titles on the LTA British Padel Tour last year. His most recent competitive outing, an LTA Grade 2 event in Crawley last month, was a far cry from the sun-baked glamour of Miami.
He is likely to play a back-up role in the San Diego Stingrays squad, but he is keen to absorb the wisdom and experience of the stellar players he’ll be surrounded by – and to grab his chance of competitive court time if it comes his way.
“I understand where everyone’s at in terms of their level, but if I can get a couple of chances to get on there and show what I can do, I’ll be all over it,” he said.
Last year’s inaugural PPL was notable for its classic American promotional razzmatazz, with rapper Daddy Yankee – best known for his hits – Gasolina and Despacito – making appearances at the first round and the final.
Louie said: “When I found out the news that I’d been selected, I was over the moon, but I haven’t thought about the off-court side of it. I’m more focused on learning from my team-mates and getting a few chances to play. Whatever comes on top of that is extra. I’m definitely ready for anything that’s thrown my way.”
Experience of a team environment will be advantageous for Louie as he and Team GB build towards the European Championships in Sardinia in July, which are much-anticipated after last year’s disappointing late postponement.
“When I get back from Miami, I’ll be playing a few LTA Grade One events in the UK then blasting out as many FIP events as I can in Europe, building up to the European Championships. That will be a team set-up, competing daily and supporting one another, so the next couple of weeks in Miami will be good practice!”
