Padel is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and could be included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. It is experiencing a boom in Malaysia, and its latest proponent is former squash star Delia Arnold.
She comes from a family of athletes – her younger sister Rachel and elder brother Timothy followed in their father Raymond’s footsteps by representing the country in squash.
Arnold, too, was a star with the national team before retiring from squash in 2017. But her natural athletic ability saw her pick up padel earlier this year, and it was love at first sight.
She got so good at it that Arnold was named captain of the Malaysian team for the inaugural Asia Pacific Padel Cup. The four-day tournament begins tomorrow at the Amare Padel Club Umalas in Bali, Indonesia.
“The sport is experiencing a boom in Malaysia and many parts of the world,” Arnold told Twentytwo13.
“I only played my first game of padel in February and never thought I would be captaining a Malaysian team in an international tournament so soon,” said Arnold, winner of multiple squash medals, including two golds in the team event at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would pick up another racquet sport after retiring from squash. But here I am!”
Arnold said the team wanted to see where they stood in the region and what the standards of the other countries were like.
Besides Malaysia, the other competing teams are Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
The 38-year-old said she found it easy to pick up the sport as padel is played inside a glass court similar to squash but uses the same scoring system as tennis.
“Unlike tennis, which can be hard to master, padel is relatively easy for beginners. The courts are smaller, but you still need a good fitness level,” said the mother of three.
“My teammates and I are excited to play in the Asia Pacific tournament. We are determined to make the country proud.”
Arnold said the team managed to secure funds from several parties, including the newly established Joy Division Padel Club in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, redONE, Volvo, Directors Think Tank, Byondwave and Hydrogen Europe.
“We are grateful to the sponsors for making the trip possible,” said Arnold.
Looking ahead, Arnold said she hopes padel is included in the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia.
It is also trying to be in the Olympics. That would certainly boost the sport’s appeal,” she added.
“I hope to continue in the sport for a few more years. Maybe until the SEA Games if it is included in 2027.”
What is padel?
Padel is a racquet sport that originated in Mexico in the late 1960s but has only recently become popular worldwide. It is a combination of squash and tennis.
It uses the same scoring system as tennis, but the rules, strokes, and technique differ. Players use solid, perforated ‘paddles’ similar to those used in beach tennis.
The ball is similar to a tennis ball but has a lower pressure, enabling slower play and longer rallies.
What is the Asia Pacific Padel Cup?
The inaugural event will be held at the Amare Padel Club Umalas in Bali, Indonesia, from Sept 19-22. The competition will begin with a round-robin phase, followed by a playoff to determine the final rankings. Each tie consists of five matches – three male teams and two female teams.
Will padel be featured in the Olympics?
The sport received accreditation from the Association of IOC Recognised International Sport Federations (ARISF) in 2023. This means it will be subject to regular monitoring and, should it meet all requirements, might be considered for Olympic selection.
To be included in the Olympics, a sport must have an international federation, meet the ethical requirements of the International Olympic Committee, and participate in tournaments and events. It must also comply with the World Anti-Doping Code and exclude motor equipment from the games.
The sport must be played in at least 75 countries and four continents in the men’s category, and 40 countries and three continents in the women’s category.
The earliest padel can be included in the Olympics is Brisbane in 2032. Any new sport vying for inclusion in the Olympics needs to be nominated seven years ahead of the Games.
Is it in any other regional Games?
Yes. It was part of the 2022 South American Games and last year’s European Games. The Olympic Council of Asia has discussed including it in the Asian Games, but not before 2030.
The Indonesian Padel Association wants it to be an exhibition sport for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
