It all started in 2003 in Uruguay

During a long stay in Uruguay in 2003, I got to try something I barely knew what it was – padel. My mother-in-law’s then-husband and I went with some of her cousins, who played regularly, to a local padel facility. Not that we knew what we were getting ourselves into – but we wanted to avoid the oppressive summer heat, and the outdoor courts were scorching hot in the sun.

The facility was worn , almost a little rough. But there was something about the green cement walls, the sound of the ball bouncing, and the energy of the place that stuck with me. I remember thinking, “This must be something like squash – but more relaxed.”

We had all played tennis , squash and badminton before – and it was noticeable that padel was somewhere in between.

After just a few minutes, it felt like we had found a new favorite way to socialize and sweat. It was easy to get into the game, the pace was just right, and the feeling was similar to beach tennis – but with real rules and a court to move around on.

I don't remember the result – just that it was fun. And that our Uruguayan opponents probably took home the victory. But above all, I remember the feeling . A feeling that has followed me ever since.

It wouldn't be until I moved to Tenerife in the mid-2010s that I was able to play regularly. But from that day on I was hooked. Since then, padel has been more than just a hobby – it's become a lifestyle.

"And it is that journey, and that feeling, that ultimately led to the creation of Padelgrossisten"