Significant announcements on east and west coasts have further illustrated the growth of padel in the United States.
Firstly, padel operator Taktika Padel announced a partnership with prominent court manufacturer, Padel Galis, to become its exclusive distributor of Padel Galis courts throughout California and Nevada.
Taktika will utilise the Wilson Elite court throughout all its own future locations as it adds to its courts at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, a second site at Dignity Health Sports Park (the home of Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy) and a third facility in northern California, construction of which is now underway.
Taktika aim to open 200 public courts on the Pacific Coast within the next two years. The partnership with Padel Galis brings the Valencia-based company’s industry-renowned courts to North America. Its portfolio spans more than 10,000 courts across 70 countries, and they have been the sole provider for the World Padel Tour since 2020.
Ryan Redondo, CEO of Taktika Padel, said: “As someone that has had the privilege of playing on a Padel Galis court, I believe the partnership we have agreed today is a groundbreaking moment not just for us a a company but also for padel’s journey in the U.S.
“By bringing Padel Galis courts to the states of California and Nevada, and by installing the Wilson Elite court at Taktika’s own facilities, people of all backgrounds are now going to have the opportunity to play on the world’s best-in-class courts as they – many for the first time – take to the sport of padel.”
Gabriel Perez Krieb, Chairman and Co-Founder of Taktika Padel, said: “Our driving force at Taktika Padel is the opportunity to grow and develop this sport up the Pacific Coast and across Western USA for communities that will, on the whole, be witnessing padel for the very first time. For Taktika, in working towards that goal, the fact that all players we bring the sport to will be able to play on the world’s best courts is exciting and a huge motivation for us as a company. This is a significant moment for the development of the world’s fastest-growing sport in Western USA.”
Padel’s status is beginning to rise in the US, with 2023 seeing the birth of America’s newest professional sports league, the Pro Padel League (PPL), of which the Taktika-owned San Diego Stingrays were one of the original seven franchise teams competing in the debut season in Tampa, Florida.
Talking of the PPL, the New York Atlantics were recently announced as an eighth franchise for its second season and the team has now unveiled a star signing.
Juan Martín Díaz is to be the Strategic Advisor to the new team. A legend of the sport, having spent 14 years as the world’s number-one-ranked padel player, Diaz is recognized for winning 13 championships and 23 tournaments in a row.
Díaz’s signing represents the first time a major international padel star has joined a PPL ownership group. The move highlights the increasing interest from international superstars competing in global padel circuits to join the fast-growing North American league.
“New York is an incredible city and a leader of padel in the United States. I am proud to be joining this organisation and look forward to playing a key role in leading this team to a successful future,” said Díaz, known for his fierce offensive style of play.
As an advisor to NYA, Díaz will oversee player recruitment and training for the 2024 season. He will also represent NYA in media and community events and identify strategic partnership opportunities for the club.
“We are thrilled to welcome Juan Martín to the NYA organisation,” said an NYA team spokesperson. “He is a world champion padel player, and his resume speaks for itself. This is not only an historic moment for the Atlantics but also the sport of padel in North America.”
As a veteran padel athlete, Díaz contributed to the massive growth of the sport internationally and saw its expansion into 90 countries worldwide, with 126 tournaments in 2022 alone. Díaz is one of the most recognised names in the professional padel community, and his involvement with NYA will continue to build momentum behind the sport in North America, with millions of new fans worldwide.
