Tennis Star Lecone to Officially Open Padel Courts

Former French Open finalist and tennis world number five, Henri Leconte will visit Guernsey on Wednesday 9th May to officially open the island’s new padel tennis courts.

Padel Tennis is the world’s fastest growing sport and is best described as a mixture of tennis and squash.

Played on an enclosed court one third the size of a regular tennis court, the ball is allowed to be played off the glass walls in a similar manner to squash.

The nature of the game means it usually played in doubles and is focused more on strategy than skill and strength which makes it the perfect social game which can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Padel Tennis has seen phenomenal growth in the past few years and it is now estimated that in Spain, one of the original centres for the game, there are between 6 and 10 million active players as opposed to 200,000 who participate in regular tennis.

After trying Padel Tennis in Marbella several years ago Henri became hooked on the sport and eventually created “Henri Leconte Padel” a company which installs courts all around the world and helps encourage participation in this fast growing sport.

When the Guernsey Tennis Centre decided to create three new padel courts adjacent to their outdoor tennis courts, Henri Leconte Padel was the obvious choice and provided a perfect connection between the two sports.

Henri is widely regarded as one of the most flamboyant and naturally gifted tennis players to have played the game and since retiring from the regular tour has proved to be on of the most popular players on the Champions circuit, wowing fans with his trick shots and cheeky sense of humour.

Henri will be at the Guernsey Padel Club on Liberation Day for the official opening of the Club’s courts.

During the afternoon there will be opportunities to meet Henri and try out this exciting new sport. Rob West, Club Manager has said “We are really delighted to be able to welcome Henri to Guernsey to officially open our Padel Courts.

It will be a unique opportunity for people to come down to the Club and see the game played at the highest level, have a go themselves and meet one of tennis’ greatest legends.

We would encourage everyone to pop along with their families and enjoy a fun afternoon for all the family.”

Henri Leconte said “I am really looking forward to visiting Guernsey – an island I have heard so much about. I can’t wait to visit the new Henri Leconte Padel Courts and introduce the people to this new sport – I know everyone will love it as much as I do.”

The first official event at the Club will a silver tiered British Padel Tour tournament to be held on 2nd and 3rd June. Social, Open and Vets categories will be played with National Rankings Points available. For more information and to sign up please contact the Guernsey Padel Club.