Padel news: ‘The Olympics needs padel more than padel needs the Olympics’, says Gail Emms

Padel’s rapid rise in the UK is being driven by participation, visibility, and social appeal, with leading figures from sport and industry highlighting both the scale of its growth and the work still required to support its long-term prospects. That was the takeaway from the debut Padel 22 Media Sessions event in London.

Amidst growing discussion surrounding padel’s Olympic prospects for Brisbane 2032, it was former world badminton champion and Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms MBE who delivered one of the standout lines of the day, offering a measured take on the sport’s Olympic ambitions.