Padel, a sport combining elements of tennis and squash, is experiencing rapid growth in the UK, with courts rising from one in 2011 to 450 last year. Despite its popularity stemming from its adaptability and appeal during the pandemic, affluent communities are pushing back against noise complaints related to the sport. Residents in various towns, including Bath and Weybridge, have objected to new court constructions, likening the sound of padel play to gunfire, leading some clubs to seek indoor soundproofed alternatives to manage community tensions.
"When the best players play, I can only describe it as like a bullet going right by you," says Nick Christou, raising concerns about the noise generated by padel matches.
Unlike the familiar summery thwack of a tennis ball, the hard stringless racket of padel produces an intolerable noise like gunfire, complained local residents.
The novelty of padel, and its adaptability for all skill levels, helped propel its popularity after lockdown, transforming the sport's presence in the UK.
As recently as 2011, there was just one padel court in the whole of the UK. Last year there were 450, showcasing its remarkable growth.
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