Torbay to get trendy new sports courts

Padel is played by 25 million players in 90 countries

Disused tennis courts on Torquay seafront could be converted into courts for a trendy new sport called padel.

Described as the ‘cool younger sister’ of tennis, padel started in Acapulco 50 years ago and is now the sport of choice for any number of A-list celebrities.

Now it is coming to the run-down concrete courts at the front of the Riviera Centre just behind Abbey Sands. Torquay Tennis Club already has padel facilities at its base nearby at Belgrave Road.

A planning application filed with Torbay Council by Essex-based Go-Padel is for four courts and parking for 15 vehicles. The courts would be built on the existing tennis facility which has fallen into disrepair.

Footballers Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi and David Beckham are said to be avid padel players, and tennis ace Andy Murray has endorsed the game.

In Spain it is the second-largest participation sport, behind football.

It is played on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis surface. The court has walls and the balls can be played off them, similar to squash.

Solid, stringless bats are used instead of racquets.

According to the International Padel Federation there are more than 25 million active players in more than 90 countries worldwide.

Applicant Go-Padel explains that "padel is not as dominated by strength and serve as often happens in tennis. Therefore it is a game men, women and kids can all enjoy together.

"It is excellent for developing hand eye co-ordination and racket skills and a great and efficient fitness workout suitable for all.

"Points are won by strategy rather than by sheer strength and power, so match-craft and technique are the important skills. This means it is very accessable to everybody."