Padel prodigy Ruby Mathias, 11, says she’ll “never forget” playing alongside GB stars Aimee Gibson and Tia Norton on a day that inspired her to strive even harder towards professional stardom.
Ruby got the chance to live every young padel player’s dream by partnering GB no.2 Aimee in the women’s competition at the recent Pro Am Padel Tour event at Rocket Padel in Bristol – and the duo won the trophy by beating Hanna Maddock and TV presenter Jenny Drummond in the final!
Former tennis player Ruby was introduced to padel by her dad nine months ago and has adjusted startlingly quickly to the 20×10.
She has already won LTA U12 and U16 titles at Rocks Lane in London and junior events at Surge in Bristol and Smash Padel in Bicester. She’s also been invited to attend the LTA’s GB Youth Training Camp later this month. She has set herself a target of reaching the top 50 in the LTA rankings by the time she’s 13.
Ruby says the chance to play alongside Aimee and over the net from Tia – both her personal heroes – was “the best day of my life.”
She told The Padel Paper: “Aimee is the loveliest person ever. She somehow made me feel relaxed because I was nervous. She not only encouraged me but coached me through the event. Aimee gave me new confidence with regards to the back glass and court position. Her style is so smooth, but apart from all of her skills she is just the best person.
“My dream would be to be as good as Tia and Aimee. To travel the world and play padel sounds amazing. Aimee and Tia are both inspirational female players. Now I have met them both and they are both super friendly. I actually hit a winner past Tia – I will never forget it!
“I also love Pep [Stonor] from Femme Open. I entered one of their events and it was like a family party. Pep is so welcoming and so passionate about more females playing. She has some sort of magic about her that makes you feel happy. Also, my dad is a legend of a player!”
Ruby is coached by Kevin Graff (aka ‘Bristol Padel Coach‘). She says: “I have learnt so much in this short amount of time. I want to be the best player I can be.
“I now do strength training to make my legs move faster, as I know this is a point I need to work on. I also love the technical side. I have loads to learn which makes padel so interesting. I love the social side and I like travelling around with my dad.”
Ruby is already looking ahead to becoming a role model to other juniors in the years ahead. She adds: “I would like to promote padel to juniors like myself and definitely girls as we are lacking some young females in the game. I want to be able to coach and assist coaches as well, to repay the help that numerous people have given me.”
