People in Mottingham can try their hand at the fast-growing sport of padel after a company backed by Andy Murray opened courts at the Coldharbour Leisure Centre.
The doubles game, which combines elements of tennis, squash and badminton, uses a smaller court and a lighter ball. Tennis champions Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic play the sport, as do Roger Federer, Martina Hingis and Maria Sharapova.
Game4Padel, a company whose investors include Murray and his brother Jamie, has teamed up with Greenwich’s leisure operator Better to open the borough’s first facility in the centre on Chapel Farm Road.
Better already has padel courts across south London at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and is planning to open more as its popularity grows.
The centre is offering a 50 per cent discount on bookings before June 16, and Game4Padel is planning an open weekend later this summer with free introductory sessions on the two courts.
Richard Gallagher, Better’s partnerships manager, said: “We’ve seen the growing demand for padel at our neighbour club in Crystal Palace and indeed all across London.
“Coldharbour is a thriving Better location with all-weather 3G and grass football pitches, a 55-station gym and a large fitness studio plus a cafe bar, and so we are sure padel will be a great addition for our members”.
A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: “We know that staying active boosts physical and mental health, and we’re really pleased that GLL are piloting this new and popular sport.”
Earlier this year Greenwich Council gave its approval for a padel court next to the Design District on the Greenwich Peninsula, while courts are also due to open at the O2.
The Coldharbour courts can be booked via Game4Padel.
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