Padel news: Jimmy Butler, Owen Wilson headline Reserve Padel’s exhibition event in New York
NBA legend Jimmy Butler and Hollywood actor Owen Wilson were amongst the main attractions at Reserve Padel’s special event on Saturday 6 September, which featured a star-studded mix of athletes and celebrities.
Despite the US Open finals taking the lion’s share of the buzz in New York this past weekend, padel had its own moment to shine at a unique exhibition match in Hudson Yards.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya reviews the action.
Big names attract crowds
To kick things off, two-time US Open champion Patrick Rafter squared off against former world number one padel player Juan Martín Díaz, with the tennis veteran trying his hand at the sport.
Díaz, in contrast, began his padel career back in the 1980s and is currently chief padel officer at Reserve Padel.
Reserve Cup chairman and noted padel lover Butler then joined in the fun as he paired with Reserve founder and CEO Wayne Boich to entertain fans.
Wilson – who has previously spoken of his passion for the sport – also made a welcome appearance, observing from the stands after having played with Díaz the day before.
Other well-known figures to grace the evening event included TV celebrity Bianca Peters, Equinox Group president Harvey Spevak, former Boston Celtics co-owner Jim Pallotta, and current Celtics co-owner Bruce Beal.
READ MORE: Padel news: Manchester Utd, Liverpool and the Premier League teams embracing padel in training
Growing US padel market
Reserve Padel has positioned itself as one of the pioneers of what is a fast-growing sport across the United States.
“This community, built on and around the court, will showcase the world’s newest, most exciting game: padel,” it states on the company’s website.
“Through padel clubs, activations, pop-ups, and tournaments, Reserve will propel to new heights by developing athletes throughout America.”
New York finds itself at the centre of that growth, with Reserve continuing to boast popular athletes such as Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, tennis great Andre Agassi, football icon David Beckham, and former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, to name a few, at its Hudson Yards branch.
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