Looking for a Tennis Alternative in Albury? Try Padel
Hi! I'm Maheva, and I've been playing tennis since I was 5 years old. I competed seriously for years, then I coached tennis. Tennis was my life.
Growing up in Spain, I watched padel absolutely explode—clubs that used to have 12 tennis courts ended up with just 1. The rest? Converted to Padel. I've been coaching Padel for more than 13 years now, and I saw this transformation firsthand.
Then I moved to Australia 10 years ago. No padel. Nothing.
Now? It's getting crazy here too. I'm ranked #3 in Australia and play for the National Team—and I'm telling you, this sport is about to take off in 2026.
“Every single tennis player will love
Padel if you play it seriously”
Maheva Polo - Representing Australia at the Asian Cup in Doha with the AU National Padel =eam
This isn't about which sport is "better." That's not the point. But if you're a tennis player in Albury looking for something different—something that will push you just as hard but in a completely new way—you need to try Padel.
Let me tell you why.
What is Padel?
If you haven't seen it yet, Padel is played on a court about one-third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass and mesh walls. And those walls? They're in play. That changes everything.
You always play doubles-four players on court. The scoring is the same as tennis, so you'll feel at home immediately.
But don't let the smaller court fool you. This sport will push you.
Quick Facts:
• Scoring: Same as tennis (15, 30, 40, game)
• Court size: 20m x 10m (about 1/3 of tennis court)
• Players: Always doubles (4 players)
• Walls: Glass and mesh, always in play
• Serve: Underarm only
• Smashes are a core shot—you'll love it.
Why I Made the Switch (& Why You Will Too)
Let me be honest with you about tennis.
I love tennis. I've dedicated most of my life to it. But here's the truth:
“Tennis is too serious. Even when
you're trying to have fun, it's serious”
You need good people to play with. You need the right level. Finding a match is work.
Padel is different.
It's still competitive, believe me, at the top level it's brutal. But there's a joy to it that I rarely felt in tennis. You're laughing between points. You're playing with mates, not against a wall of silence across the net. Here's what happened to me, and what will happen to you:
Your Tennis Skills Are Your Superpower
Every skill you've built transfers directly
You're not starting from zero. You're starting ahead. That's the beauty of it.
The Fitness is Crazy
Don't let anyone tell you Padel is "easier" than tennis. That's nonsense. The learning curve is hard if you want to play well—it needs tennis foundations that take years to dominate.
The fitness demands are insane. It's a HIIT workout with a racket—your heart rate spikes during rallies, then you need precision and finesse in a confined space. Like boxing, the adrenaline is there, but you need perfection under pressure.
“You're burning 700-1,000 calories per hour.
Some intense matches hit 1,200”
The running is constant. The focus is relentless. The smashes? They're explosive. When you connect on an overhead, you feel it.
Whether you come from tennis, squash, racquetball, or any high-intensity sport, this will push you. It's high-level athletic skills applied in a completely new way.
It's Actually Fun :)
I know that sounds strange. "Wasn't tennis fun?"
Yes and no. Tennis is rewarding. It's satisfying. But it's intense, and even the fun parts are serious.
Padel is different. Four players on court means more rallies, more banter, more energy. You're in it together. The social side isn't a nice bonus—it's built into the sport.
I've seen players who were burned out on tennis fall in love with Padel because it feels like play again.
You'll Get Addicted
I'm not exaggerating. Once you feel what it's like to read a ball off the glass, to set up your partner for the perfect smash, to win a point with an angle that shouldn't be possible—you're hooked.
Every tennis player I've introduced to Padel has the same reaction: "When can I play again?"
You will too.
Is Padel Right for You?
As a Tennis Player and Based on everyone I've coached, Padel is for you if:
You want something new: Tennis is great, but variety keeps things fresh-
You're competitive: Padel rewards your tennis instincts and strategic thinking
You want a serious workout: 700-1,000 calories/hour, HIIT-style
You miss the social side: Doubles means more interaction, more energy
Honestly?
“If you've played tennis seriously, Padel is for you. I haven't met a tennis player who tried it properly and didn't get hooked”
Tennis Alternative or Tennis Addition?
Here's the thing: you don't have to choose.
I still love tennis. Many players do both—Padel during the week for social hits, tennis on weekends. The skills complement each other.
But I'll be honest: most tennis players I know who tried Padel now play it more. The social side, the constant action, the fun—it's hard to go back to standing across the net in silence.
That's not a criticism of tennis. It's just the reality of what Padel offers.
Padel in Australia
A new sport. A new community. And it's growing fast!
The first wave of players, coaches, and clubs are already building what could become one of Australia's most exciting sports in the next decade. We're not following a trend — we're building it.
This Is Real Competition
“Padel in Australia isn't just social hitting anymore.”
There's getting serious, some money on the table, national rankings, and professional pathways opening up fast.
In 2026, we're going to see a massive expansion of tournaments across the country—from local club competitions to state championships to national-level events with actual prize money.
If you've got the skills and dedication, there's a clear pathway here: represent your state, compete for rankings, and potentially earn a spot on the national team. Australia is building its Padel infrastructure right now, and those of us with strong tennis backgrounds have a serious advantage if we move early.
Australian National Padel Teams—men's and women's—representing the country at the Asian Cup, Doha 2025
Ready to Try?
Come see what I'm talking about.
Bring 3 mates and get your first court FREE at Sol Padel Albury.
Book Your Free Session Here → https://www.solpadelalbury.com/for-tennis-players
Or call: 0498 797 290
See you on court!
