The Rise of Padel in Saudi Arabia: Najwa Salhab's Journey (JOPS03E12) My latest Joy of Padel episode features Najwa Salhab, a rising star from Saudi Arabia's national padel team. Najwa's journey from casual player to national representative is truly inspiring. In this episode, we dive into: • The rapid growth of padel in Saudi Arabia • Najwa's transition from amateur to competitive player • The importance of strategy and communication in padel • How padel skills translate to life and business • ...
Jul 01, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 12
From Wall Practice to World Stages: Marta Talaván's Padel Rise (JOPS03E11) I'm thrilled to share my latest Joy of Padel podcast episode featuring the incredible Marta Talaván, a top-ranked professional padel player and board member. Marta offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of pro padel, from her journey as a young player to her current role shaping the sport's future. We dive deep into the nuances of playing right side in padel, discussing technique, strategy, and the mental game. Marta...
Jun 17, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 11
London's padel scene is exploding, and we've got the inside scoop. Did you know there are now 166 courts across 42 venues in the city? In our latest Joy of Padel episode, we dive deep into the data behind London's padel revolution. From premium clubs to pop-up courts, we explore the diverse landscape shaping this fast-growing sport. Here are 3 key insights from our analysis: - Rapid Growth: London has seen a staggering increase in padel courts, with plans for even more expansion. We break down t...
Jun 17, 2025•48 min
Evolving in Padel: Fredrik Ask's Coaching Philosophy (JOPS03E10) I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Joy of Padel, featuring Fredrik Ask, Norway's top padel player. Fredrik's transition from tennis to padel is a captivating story, and he shares invaluable insights into the sport's intricacies. In this episode, we explore: - The shift from tennis to padel - Strategies for creating space on the court - The significance of reading your opponent's racket - Tips for finding the ideal padel...
Jun 03, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 10
From Football to Padel: Loïc Fery's Insights on Sports Management (JOPS03E09) I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Joy of Padel, featuring the dynamic Loïc Fery. Known for his ventures in finance and as the owner of FC Lorient, Loïc has now immersed himself in the world of padel. In this episode, we explore Loïc's journey from tennis to padel, discussing his passion for the sport and his involvement in the Hexagon Cup with his team, 10 Padel (along with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Diana...
May 27, 2025•47 min
EPISODE JOPS03E08 EPISODE IS IN SPANISH You can find it on Youtube with English subtitles here: https://youtu.be/paV-2J_VWgo Viviana Corcuera, esposa de Enrique Corcuera con quien cofundó el pádel, comparte la fascinante historia del deporte desde sus inicios en 1969. Relata cómo evolucionó el equipamiento, desde raquetas de madera hasta las modernas que permiten jugadas espectaculares. Viviana destaca el carácter intergeneracional del pádel y su capacidad para unir familias. Recuerda anécdotas ...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 8
This Joy of Padel episode features Johannes Thomhave, CEO of Padel TV, discussing the challenges and opportunities in broadcasting padel matches. As a padel aficionado, Johannes shares insights on filming techniques, the growth of padel in Sweden and the UK, and the importance of globalizing the sport. He emphasizes the need for high-quality production, including multiple cameras, instant replays, and advanced statistics to enhance viewer experience. The conversation also touches on Padel TV's b...
May 06, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Ksenia Sharifova, a rising star (currently world number 23) in professional padel, shares her journey from tennis to padel and the challenges of finding the right partner in this insightful padel podcast. As a padel aficionado, Ksenia discusses the intricacies of shot selection, court positioning, and the mental aspects of the game. She offers a candid perspective on the competitive world of professional padel, including the delicate balance of partnerships and the importance of a strong support...
Apr 22, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 6
This podcast features Seb Gordon, co-founder of Rocket Padel, discussing his journey in the sport and the growth of padel in the UK. Gordon shares insights from his experience in Sweden's padel boom and how he's applying those lessons to develop premium indoor padel facilities in Britain. The conversation covers the importance of community in padel, the challenges of coaching development, and Rocket Padel's expansion plans across London and beyond. Key points: 1. The transition from tennis to pa...
Apr 08, 2025•32 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This podcast features Jonathan Rowland, a padel aficionado since 2004, discussing his journey in the sport and his venture, R3 Sport. Rowland shares insights on padel's growth in the UK, his experiences playing in unconventional settings, and his vision for developing the sport professionally. The conversation delves into the challenges of competing with established padel nations and the importance of nurturing young talent. Key points include Rowland's approach to sponsoring players and the rol...
Mar 26, 2025•46 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Carolina Orsi, Italian padel champion, shares her journey from tennis to professional padel on the Joy of Padel podcast. She discusses the challenges of learning padel's unique wall play, the importance of repetition in mastering the sport, and the differences between men's and women's padel. Orsi offers insights into her training regimen, focusing on physical preparation and mental skills to break into the top 20 rankings. The conversation explores padel's rapid growth in Italy, the joy of watc...
Mar 12, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode of the padel podcast, I chat with Tomoaki (Tom) Murasawa, the coach of Japan's national padel teams. Tomaki shares his personal journey from tennis to padel, discussing how the sport has evolved in Japan since the first court opened in 2013. With only about 50 courts across the country, the passion for padel is evident. We touch on the need for more investment to grow the sport's infrastructure and how it can better fit into Japanese culture. Tomaki also highlights the importance...
Feb 26, 2025•15 min•Season 3Ep. 2
This podcast features an engaging conversation with Brittany Dubins, the top-ranked female padel player in the United States. Brittany shares her journey from tennis to professional padel, discussing the challenges and joys of the sport. She offers insights into the unique aspects of padel, including partner dynamics and strategic play. The discussion covers Brittany's experiences at the 2024 World Championships in Doha and her thoughts on the future of padel in the US. This episode provides a f...
Feb 12, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 1
This episode is a bit special. First, it's not in the usual form of an interview that I conduct with a padel connoisseur or celebrity. While based on a real article I wrote, it was converted into a podcast thanks to the uncannily good NotebookLLM (by Google). The artwork for this episode was created by Dall-ee (OpenAI) on a custom-trained dataset. This conversation, between two AI voices, focuses on padel etiquette, outlining unwritten rules for maintaining a positive playing experience. I must ...
Jan 08, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 23
In this episode of the Joy of Padel, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jonas Bjorkman, the renowned tennis player who has embraced the world of padel. Jonas shares his personal journey from tennis to padel, which began in Portugal, and highlights what makes the sport so appealing both socially and competitively. As the manager of the Swedish national men's padel team, he opens up about the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from tennis to padel, stressing the importance of tea...
Dec 18, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 22
In this episode, I chatted during the World Championships in Doha 2024 with Alejandra Salazar, a hugely important and prominent figure in padel. Alejandra shares her journey from discovering padel at age eight to becoming a top player across three decades. She attributes her success to adaptability and continuous learning, emphasizing the importance of believing in oneself, even in challenging times. Alejandra also discusses the significance of communication with partners and how she balances he...
Dec 04, 2024•15 min•Season 2Ep. 21
In this episode of "The Joy of Padel," I have the pleasure of speaking with Calle Åkesson, the General Secretary of the Swedish Padel Federation. Calle shares his personal journey from being a sports enthusiast to playing a pivotal role in the development of padel in Sweden. He talks about the sport's rapid growth during the pandemic and the current phase of consolidation. Calle emphasizes the importance of collaboration between commercial venues and nonprofit clubs to promote padel effectively....
Nov 20, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 20
In this episode, I welcome Tom Murray, a key figure in the padel world, to discuss his journey from tennis to padel and his role as Head of Padel at the LTA. Tom shares his early experiences in Spain, where he transitioned from tennis to padel, and the challenges he faced in promoting the sport in the UK. The conversation delves into the cultural and strategic aspects of padel, including the importance of covered courts in England's climate and the integration of padel into traditional tennis cl...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode, I sat down with Marta Ortega to explore her experiences at Roland Garros and the nuances of playing padel in varying conditions. Marta shares her awe at walking the same corridors as tennis legends and discusses the mental preparation required for unpredictable weather shifts. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability and maintaining a positive outlook. The conversation also delves into the evolution of the padel industry, highlighting the transition from the World Padel Tou...
Oct 23, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In this episode, I welcome Vianney Dubois, a self-proclaimed data nerd with a background in finance, who has turned his passion for sports data into a groundbreaking project in padel. Vianney shares his journey from being an amateur player frustrated by the lack of detailed match feedback to developing Padel Intelligence, a platform that provides in-depth statistics for players and fans alike. Our discussion delves into the challenges of defining forced and unforced errors, the potential of AI a...
Oct 09, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Welcome and Introduction - Host Minter Dial welcomes Roby Gattiker, a legendary figure in the world of padel, known for being the longest-reigning world champion in the sport's history. - Roby shares his journey from Argentina, highlighting his lifelong passion for sports, particularly padel and tennis. Early Beginnings and First World Championship - Roby reflects on his first world championship win in 1992 with partner Alejandro Lasaigues, a year where they remained undefeated. - He discusses t...
Sep 25, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Joy of Padel with Alex Inglot In the latest episode of "The Joy of Padel," host Minter Dial sits down with Alex Inglot, a prominent figure in the world of padel and sports business. The conversation delves into Alex's fascinating journey from tennis and volleyball to becoming a key player in the padel community and the business of sports. From Tennis to Volleyball Alex Inglot's sporting journey began with tennis, a sport he picked up in his early teens. Despite his competitive spirit, he found h...
Sep 11, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 15
JOY OF PADEL WITH RAFA VEGA - Overview of Rafa's achievements, including his ranking as number two in Britain under the LTA rating system and his success in various tournaments. Rafa Vega's Background and Career - Rafa discusses his current roles at Harvard Club Chelsea and involvement in padel events. - His journey from being a competitive tennis player to transitioning into padel at age 15. Transition from Tennis to Padel - Rafa shares his experience of playing tennis from a young age and how ...
Aug 28, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Welcome and Introduction - Minter Dial welcomes Pablo Carro, co-founder of Playtomic. - Discussion about Playtomic's impact and Pablo's personal background. Personal Background and Passion for Padel - Pablo Carro shares his journey from tennis to padel. - Reflects on his early experiences with padel in 1995 and his transition to making it his profession. Challenges and Evolution of Tennis and Padel - Discussion on the transformation needed in the tennis industry. - Pablo highlights the need for ...
Aug 14, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 13
JOY OF PADEL WITH NALLÉ GRINDA Welcome and Introduction - Minter Dial welcomes back Nallé Grinda, the only guest to appear twice on the show. - Discussion about their shared passion for padel and Nallé’s current activities in Miami. Current Activities and Upcoming Events - Nallé shares his plans to travel to Europe for vacation and padel-related events. - Highlights a charitable event in Saint Tropez featuring top padel players. Insights from the Playtomic 2024 Report - Minter and Nallé discuss ...
Jul 17, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Joy of Padel with Scott Reddick In this episode of the Joy of Padel podcast, I sit down with Scott Reddick, a passionate entrepreneur and padel enthusiast, at the P1 Padel Club in Las Vegas. Scott shares his journey from a competitive tennis background to discovering and falling in love with padel. He discusses the challenges and rewards of managing the P1 Padel Club, emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all players. Scott also touches on the club's ef...
Jul 03, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 11
The Joy of Padel with David Garcia Welcome and Introduction - Host Minter Dial welcomes David Garcia to the show. - David Garcia is introduced as a lifelong padel player and current International Event Manager and director at M3 Padel Academy. David Garcia's Background - David shares his journey in padel, starting at the age of four. - He discusses his early years playing in his neighborhood and his progression to professional padel. - Mentions notable players from his neighborhood who also beca...
Jun 19, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 10
The Joy of Padel with Enrique Buenaventura Join us as we explore the enthralling padel journey of Enrique Buenaventura, a sports aficionado turned padel entrepreneur. Enrique shares insights from his multifaceted experience in the sport and business of padel, including his transition from tennis to padel at the age of twelve. With padel's burgeoning popularity, he discusses the challenges and thrills of keeping the joy in the game while navigating its commercial landscape. Enrique also delves in...
Jun 05, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The Joy of Padel with Nico Agritelley Join us as we welcome the dynamic Nico Agritelley, a homegrown talent from Dallas, Texas, who has taken the American padel scene by storm. A former college tennis player turned padel enthusiast, Nico shares his candid story of trading in his finance career for the love of padel, a decision that has propelled him to the top ranks in the US. Dive into his transformative journey from tennis courts to padel courts, the challenges of finding the right competition...
May 22, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The Joy of Padel with Saana Saarteinen In this episode, we delve into the world of Saana Saarteinen, Finland's top padel talent, who has gracefully transitioned from tennis to mastering the courts of padel. At 31, Saana has not only embraced the sport but has made it a lifestyle since 2019. She recounts the initial switch from tennis, spurred by a friend's invitation to a tournament, and the subsequent journey to becoming Finland's number one. Saana shares the nuances of adapting tennis skills t...
May 08, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 7
