Weekly News Roundup: Roland-Garros Returns, Resort Boom, Swiatek vs the Walls
Padel isn’t just growing—it’s intersecting with travel, luxury, tech, and tennis pros
Roland-Garros transforms for Padel’s return, U.S. clubs integrate WPR matchmaking tech, and luxury resorts race to add courts. In the UK, steep court fees frustrate casual players, while Swiatek and Medvedev face off against padel pros—highlighting just how far (and fast) the sport is evolving worldwide. Let’s take a look at this week’s top stories.
Roland-Garros to Host Paris Premier Padel Major Again This September
Padel returns to the heart of Paris as the iconic Roland-Garros Stadium welcomes back the Paris Premier Padel Major from September 8 to 14, 2025. With six custom courts—including one on the Philippe-Chatrier—this fourth edition promises both high-level matches and vibrant afterwork festivities. Ticket prices start at €15, covering both daytime and evening sessions packed with action, music, and social games.
- Read more on Sortir à Paris
WPR and Playbypoint Unite to Standardize Player Ratings in U.S. Padel Clubs
World Padel Rating (WPR) has partnered with Playbypoint to embed its player rating system into the everyday operations of padel clubs across the U.S. This integration allows clubs to offer level-based programming and matchmaking, aiming to increase transparency and consistency in both casual and competitive play. Early adopters include Reserve, Padel N9ne, and Dallas Padel Club.
- Read more on CBS 4 Indy
Luxury Resorts Embrace Padel to Attract Sport-Savvy Travelers
Padel’s rapid global rise is pushing high-end resorts to add courts and padel programming to meet growing demand. With over 2,500 new clubs and nearly 6,000 courts added in 2023 alone, hotels like Gleneagles (Scotland), Oberoi Marrakech, and Baha Mar (Bahamas) are building dedicated padel spaces. U.S. properties like Rancho Valencia Resort have followed suit, converting tennis courts to meet padel’s social and inclusive appeal.
- Read more on Travel Weekly
UK Padel Enthusiasts Struggle with High Court Prices
Despite its reputation as an accessible and fun sport, padel is becoming financially out of reach for many players in the UK. With just 800 courts for over 400,000 players, peak-time rentals can cost up to £80. Players like Rosie Hepworth are adapting by joining open matches and cycling across London for cheaper access, but the affordability issue is slowing personal progress and limiting participation.
- Read more on BBC News
Swiatek and Medvedev Face Off Against Padel Pros in Tecnifibre Challenge
In a lighthearted yet competitive event, tennis stars Iga Swiatek and Daniil Medvedev joined forces to take on professional padel players Joel Olivera and Matias Novillo. The three-round challenge highlighted padel-specific techniques like the “bajada,” and revealed just how different padel is—even for world-class tennis players. Medvedev’s sense of humor and paddleboard prop added to the fun as they fought through a tiebreak finale.
- Read more on Tennis.com
Video of the Week
Check out this Semifinal match from the Italy Major Premier Padel (MEN)
From Grand Slam venues turning Padel-ready to five-star resorts rethinking their amenities, this week showed that Padel is no longer content staying in the shadows. Even tennis stars found themselves disoriented behind glass walls. At Padel Mecca, we’re seeing it firsthand—Padel is reshaping sport, space, and global expectations.
So the question now isn’t if it will last—but just how big it’s going to get.
🔥 If this was the week we just had… what’s coming next?