Forget about golf, a new sport is quietly stealing the spotlight next door. It’s none other than padel, a hybrid racket sport that combines the best parts of tennis, squash, and badminton.
It is not just fun to play; it is a full-body workout. Padel helps build strength in the legs, arms, and core muscles because players move quickly, stretch, and swing powerful shots throughout the game.
Many players also say that padel helps their mental health. The fast pace keeps the mind sharp, while the social and friendly nature of the game helps reduce stress. After a match, players often feel relaxed, refreshed and happier.
Padel began in Spain, swept across Europe and has now landed in Kenya. Nairobi’s padel scene is thriving, courts are packed, leagues are forming and social events are bringing people together to enjoy the sport.
One warm afternoon, laughter and the sharp rhythm of rallies echo through the covered courts of Networks Padel as families stroll along the leafy paths off Limuru Road. The children race ahead toward the play area, while parents enjoy a friendly match nearby.
Virginia Wangui, events and marketing Lead at Networks Padel Village, stands near the courts, watching players of all ages take their shots, young professionals in gym gear, mothers cheering each other on and even a few seasoned players moving under the shade of the white roof.
‘We wanted to create something for everyone,’ she says. ‘A place that is easy to access from Red Hill, Ruaka or even town. You can come to play, have lunch and just spend the day with your family.’
Networks Padel opened in May. Here, padel is more than just a workout, it is a lifestyle. With no membership required and affordable rates, the courts fill up quickly, especially during the evenings when people come after work to play under the lights.
As Virginia explains, ‘People think padel is expensive, but it is really not. It is fun, social and it keeps your fit. You actually do not even need the gym when you play padel.’
The charges
At Networks Padel, a one-hour session costs about Sh3,000 during off-peak hours and Sh4,000 during peak hours. Since the game is played in doubles, each player pays about Sh750 to Sh1,000 per hour.
Coaching with a junior coach costs Sh6,000, and with the head coach Sh6,500 to Sh7,500 for private lessons. There are also 12-week training packages that take players from beginner to intermediate level.
Among those who have caught the padel fever is Arjun Dhall, a 29-year-old insurance broker and business owner. ‘Padel inspires me to push myself to become a better version of myself,’ he said. ‘You get to meet people from different walks of life. It is great for fitness and also for networking.’
It’s very intensive
Arjun first discovered padel after noticing how fast it was catching on in Nairobi. ‘I would hear about a new padel court opening somewhere or a tournament being organised,’ he said. ‘That really pushed me to give it a try.’
He started playing around October 2023 and has never looked back. ‘It is a very intensive sport,’ he explained. ‘You need to use your mind a lot. It is about precision, consistency and mental strength. When you fail, you just pick yourself up and try again. That is how success is built.’
Arjun plays padel almost every day after work. ‘I need to get about 15,000 steps a day, and padel helps me with that,’ he said with a smile. ‘Sometimes I even play twice a day. It is addictive.’
Before padel, Arjun had tried other racket sports like tennis and squash, but only for fun. He said padel offers something different; a mix of social connection and self-improvement.
‘The people I have met through padel have become good friends and useful business contacts,’ he said. ‘It is a great way to network.’
Padel is often described as premium and inclusive, and Arjun agrees. ‘It is definitely premium,’ he laughed. ‘My bank balance tells me so. But at the same time, it is inclusive because anyone can start at any level and get better with time and consistency.’
Pathway to holistic wellness
While some view padel as a modern luxury, Arjun sees it as a pathway to physical fitness and holistic wellness. ‘Yes, it can be a bit pricey,’ he admitted with a smile. ‘After a match, people often unwind with food or a drink and that adds up. But what is really nice is that everyone is playing it now, people you would never expect. It is bringing different kinds of people together.’
After a game, Arjun feels recharged both physically and mentally. ‘There is this rush of endorphins and your body feels light,’ he said. ‘You might be sweating and tired, but it is the good kind of tired, the one that leaves you smiling.’
Looking ahead, Arjun is confident that padel will keep growing in Kenya. ‘The sport is already very popular, but it will grow even faster once prices come down. Many clubs are now introducing memberships that offer better rates and perks, which is a good thing.’
From curiosity to coaching
At Networks Padel Village in Nairobi, we meet Steven Austine, a coach.
‘I first heard about padel from my friends,’ he said . ‘They told me about a new sport that had just been introduced into the country. I was curious because it sounded like a mix of tennis and squash, two very different games.’
That curiosity led Steven to his first padel match as a spectator. What he saw immediately caught his attention. ‘It was so interesting,’ he says. ‘The rallies were longer and because it and was fun. I knew I wanted to try it.’
On May 8, 2024, Steven stepped onto a padel court for the first time. ‘Since I had played tennis before, it was easy at the start, but I faced challenges with the glass walls. I did not know how to use them.’
Still, he was hooked. ‘It was a fun experience,’ he said. ‘From that day, I got addicted to the game.’
Before padel, Steven had played and coached tennis, and tried other racket sports like table tennis and badminton.
Padel is often described as a social sport, and Steven agrees. ‘For me, padel is a place to network,’ he said. ‘It brings people from different backgrounds together. You makenew friends and share new opportunities. It is not just a sport, it is a community.’
However, Steven admits that cost and access remain a challenge. ‘You need money to play often. My price for coaching ranges from Sh5,000 to Sh10,000 from off to peak hours.’
Despite this, more Kenyans are joining the sport. ‘At first, many people thought padel was for the wealthy,’ Steven said. ‘But now the perception is changing.’
Steven approaches every session with enthusiasm. ‘Padel keeps me fit without feeling like I am exercising,’ he said. ‘The moment I step onto the court, my body switches on.’
What makes padel special, according to Steven, is the combination of teamwork, fun and long rallies. ‘The walls keep the ball in play longer,’ he explained. ‘Unlike tennis, where a smash can end a point, in padel you have a second chance. The rallies are longer, and that makes it more exciting.’
Steven plays both competitively and for fun. ‘Seventy percent of the time I play competitively,’ he said. ‘But I also play for fun with beginners. Every Friday, we meet and explore different clubs just to enjoy the game.’
Padel is also helping to close the gender gap in sports. ‘When we first started, most players were men,’ Steven pointed out.
‘But now, more women are joining. The introduction of mixed doubles tournaments has encouraged more women to play and become competitive.’
Steven’s most memorable moment was during a mixed doubles tournament where he and his female partner were the only mixed team among 36 others. ‘We managed to become third,’ he says proudly. ‘That was a great achievement and a special moment for me.’
Padel for therapy
Joy Lulu, is an event assistant whose bright energy and daily dedication show just how addictive and joyful the game can be.
Joy’s passion for padel began just two months ago. She first discovered the sport while watching others play. The energy, laughter and connection among players drew her in instantly.
‘I saw how interactive it was, how people were networking and just having fun,’ she said. ‘I told myself, I want to do it and I will do it.’
Joy began by attending occasional classes. What started as lessons once every two weeks has turned into daily sessions. ‘Now I come here every day.’
Before she discovered Padel, Joy was a competitive swimmer. She stopped swimming when it became difficult to fit into her routine, but she still wanted something active and engaging. ‘Padel is cheerful and playful. It is a chill sport. Swimming is taken so seriously,’ she said.
Beyond just being a game, padel has become an essential part of Joy’s physical fitness and overall wellness. She describes it as a workout that does not feel like one, a perfect blend of movement, energy and joy.
For her, the sport is also a form of mental rejuvenation. ‘It clears my head completely,’ she explained. ‘When you hit the ball, you let go of stress, worries and tension. It is like every shot releases something heavy inside you.’
Joy said the experience is a reminder that fitness can be fun and that communities can grow from shared passions. ‘I love dressing up for padel too,’ she added with a laugh. ‘Bright, floral colours make the game even more exciting.’