BERO Padel Classic: Glitzy Tom Holland–led event showcases new sport looking to rival Wimbledon
The recent BERO Padel Classic brought more celebrity buzz to the sport of padel as Spider-Man star Tom Holland staged an event that might just be Wimbledon’s newest rival.
Holland, a co-founder of non-alcoholic beer brand BERO, hosted the inaugural tournament, a one-day Pro-Am showdown, at London’s Padel Social Club.
A-listers such as Jay Shetty, Simu Liu, and Stormzy, plus top athletes like Andy Murray and current padel world No.1 Arturo Coello, competed alongside Holland.
As padel continues to boom across the globe – with celebrities, influencers, and investors tapping into the zeitgeist – so has its presence on the social calendar.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya reports on the story.
What is padel?
Padel is a doubles-focused racket sport often described as a combination of tennis and squash.
It is played on a small, enclosed court and has the same scoring system as tennis but with different rules, strokes, and techniques.
According to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), there are currently around 800 padel courts in Britain and over 400 000 players.
The Sporting News noted that, off the court, Holland’s padel event drew interest for its mix of athletic talent and cultural figures, further signalling the game’s move into the global sporting scene.
“Less than a year in and we’re already in the same conversation as Wimbledon,” said one excited spectator at the event.
In London, audience members and participants alike were treated to chef-curated food, open bar facilities, and premium viewing access as well as exclusive experiences that included a padel masterclass.
READ MORE: Padel explainer: How to play the sport and rules of the court
A growing pastime
Earlier this year, another prestigious padel event, the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic at the Hurlingham Club, featured not just celebrities, but also professional players, premium hospitality, and the UK’s first-ever floating padel court.
The Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic is set to take place in May each year as a two-day event featuring select teams.
This year saw an extensive list of well-known names, including Springbok rugby icon Bryan Habana, former English footballer Jamie Redknapp, noted tennis coach Judy Murray, and legendary England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss.
Ultimately, padel has seen an exponential rise in popularity due to its sociability and ease of access.
Indeed, because the game isn’t power-dominated and serves are underarm, players can be of mixed ages and abilities, making matches fun and easy to play for all.
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