Every corner in Miami seems to be sprouting one of two things these days—a sleek, new luxury highrise or a shiny padel court. And if you’re lucky, your apartment complex might even offer the latter as part of its trendy, new amenities. For the uninitiated, padel is a fun, dynamic racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It was invented in Mexico in the ’60s and is played on a smaller, enclosed court using a deflated tennis ball. Its popularity has skyrocketed lately, with over 25 million players across 110-plus countries. Padel courts in the Miami area alone are nearing 100, making it the top U.S. city for the sport, gaining popularity among affluent VIP circles. Unlike the fastest-growing sport of pickleball, padel is more physically demanding and has been quoted as the “posher, privileged cousin.” 

I’ll admit though: I’d never heard of padel until my fiancé mentioned it last year after his father picked it up abroad. Little did I know it would become the latest South Florida obsession, garnering attention from locals, celebs and pros alike. Once a padel court popped up across from my old apartment, I knew it was only a matter of time before I took a swing at it. 

Unpacking Padel

If you ask Gabi Meana why padel is catching fire in South Florida, he’ll tell you it’s all thanks to the city’s vibrant cultural mashup and strong ties to Latin America and Europe, where padel has long been a favorite. Meana, who heads up coaching at Reserve Padel Miami—one of the first members-only padel clubs in the U.S.—knows a thing or two about how this sport is finding its footing stateside. It doesn’t hurt that businessman Wayne Boich brought this pro circuit to Miami in 2022, turning up the game’s visibility in a big way.

Reserve Padel’s first Miami location is a former seaplane base—now called Hudson Yards—on Watson Island, where open-air courts blend into the Miami skyline, and lounges spill out onto scenic spots overlooking Biscayne Bay. Here, padel feels like a natural extension of Miami’s sleek, sun-soaked vibe. Its sister locale sits just a 10-minute drive north at the luxury shopping destination, the Miami Design District. 

While sports like pickleball and tennis have been great inspirations, padel is carving out its own path.
—Gabi Meana

It’s an idyllic spot to play padel indeed, where on any given day, you might see David Beckham, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler or tennis pro Venus Williams holding court, making this the ultimate spot to see and be seen. Reserve Padel is also home to the Reserve Cup, which draws the world’s best padel players to Miami. Add to that the frequent pro-led clinics and lessons, and it’s a hotbed of padel action where locals and elites dive into the sport.

“Padel’s popularity is driven by its social nature, which perfectly aligns with modern lifestyles that blend socializing with staying active and healthy,” shared Meana. With its inclusive nature—easy to pick up, enjoyable for all ages and accessible to any skill level—padel is holding its own. With its lively mix of cultures and love for outdoor living in South Florida, the sport feels right at home.

Aside from over 40 new courts added in Miami last year alone, Meana also notes a noticeable increase in events centered around padel, with many sports facilities and luxury developments now adding padel to their offerings. “Padel has the potential to grow even larger than pickleball and tennis in the U.S. in the coming years,” he said. “While sports like pickleball and tennis have been great inspirations, padel is carving out its own path.”

Love at First Serve

With my growing curiosity and newfound knowledge of padel, I finally gave in to the hype and booked a lesson. After all, according to Meana, if you’re serious about improving, finding a coach who can teach the fundamentals and proper techniques is key—and Reserve Padel on Watson Island felt like the perfect place to start.

It was one of those sweltering South Florida August mornings when the humidity clings to your skin, making everything feel heavier. That’s when I met my instructor, padel pro Valentin Ricci. Hailing from Mar Del Plata, Argentina, he’s known for his meticulous discipline and sharp technique, but what struck me was his laid-back approach. His easygoing vibe instantly calmed my nerves, making the court feel less intimidating. I’ve never been much of a racket sports enthusiast—only lightly dabbled in tennis and pickleball—so I was definitely feeling some jitters before we started.

The lesson kicked off exactly where any beginner should—with the basics. We began in the back corner, focusing on the fundamentals: getting comfortable with hitting, aiming, and finding the game’s rhythm. Surprisingly, I did much better than I expected during those first few swings, making it easier to get into the flow. From there, we moved on to playing against the back wall. 

It didn’t take long before I realized I was hooked on wanting to improve. The energy of the courts and the workout itself left me sweaty and glowing—tan lines and a sore arm as proof of a good session.

My lessons with Ricci continued, each time bringing new challenges. I joked that my first-day success might’ve been beginner’s luck, but Ricci’s guidance—and humor—pulled me through. The real highlight came when I finally nailed my backhand. After struggling with the technique for what felt like forever, Ricci kept reminding me, “Relax your grip.” Easier said than done, especially with sweat dripping down my forehead and my arm feeling like jelly from endless tries. Then, just as I was about to give up for the day, everything clicked. The ball soared off my racket, hitting the perfect spot on the court, and Ricci gave an enthusiastic “Esooo!” aka his verbal approval of my shot. 

That moment sealed the deal for me. By the end, frustration had shifted into me wanting to improve so I can prepare for an actual game of doubles. With a few more lessons—and maybe a women’s clinic or two—I’ll be ready to hit the courts for a real match. Now, every time I pass by a padel court, I feel the itch to grab a racket and get back out there.

“We are building a movement,” said Meana, “and with the momentum we’ve gained, I believe padel will soon become one of the most popular racquet sports in the country, appealing to players of all ages and backgrounds.”

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YOUR PADEL PLAYBOOK
A beginner’s guide to playing Miami’s hottest sport.

Doubles Format: Padel is played in doubles, with two players on each team.

Serve: The game begins with an underhand serve. The server must hit the ball diagonally into the opponent’s service box after letting it bounce once on their side.

In Play: After the serve, players can hit the ball before or after it bounces once on the ground. The ball can also hit the walls surrounding the court as long as it first bounces on the ground before contacting any wall. Players can wait for the rebound off their own wall or hit the ball directly in the air.

Out of Play: The ball is considered out if it hits the net and doesn’t cross, hits the ground and goes directly into the opponent’s wall without bouncing, or leaves the court without bouncing.

Scoring: Scoring follows the traditional tennis system (15, 30, 40, game).

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