Page 60 - Las Vegas Golf & Leisure Fall 2020

LEISURE

PADEL

ANYONE?

A NEW SPORT COMES TO LAS VEGAS

Story by Bill Bowman
Photography provided by RRA Padel Las Vegas
T he name is simple: padel.

The sport’s concept…well, not so
much. At least at first glance. It starts
out with many aspects of the tennis
world. Then, to spice things up a little, they’ve
added in a hint of racquetball. Put them together
and you’ve got an intriguing sport that is piquing
interest worldwide. And that interest is starting
to make inroads in the United States with Las
Vegas—RRA Padel Las Vegas, specifically—show-
casing the sport.

Now, back to the concept. Start out with a court
that’s about half the size of a regulation tennis
court. The equipment includes a racket about
18 inches in length and low-compression tennis
balls. The tennis concept stays in play in that the
sport is scored like tennis. Matches are best two-
of-three sets. Players also are allowed two serves if
needed. Volleys and overhead smashes translate

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