It is the fastest growing racket sport in the world and now Norwich folk can give padel tennis a try after the first court was opened in the area.
The sport originated in Mexico and is a combination of squash and tennis, with the match set on a smaller court and walls around for the ball to bounce off.
Royal Norwich Country and Golf Club, near Lenwade, has invested in a padel tennis court which is now available to hire.
John Kerr, chief executive at Royal Norwich, said: "Padel tennis has been gaining a remarkable amount of popularity worldwide, and we’re thrilled to be able to witness this trend firsthand.
"It’s incredibly accessible and easy to pick up, which makes it enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels."
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Although not the first of its kind in Norfolk, it is believed to be the first in the Norwich area.
The members of Royal Norwich voted to relocate to the former Weston Park Golf Club in 2014 as plans progressed for housing to be built on its former course in Hellesdon.
A £10m investment saw the rejuvenated course opened in 2019 and the royal title bestowed by Queen Victoria in 1983 was transferred across.
John added: "Our new padel tennis court has injected fresh energy into our club’s offerings, elevating us from a golf club to a multi-faceted sporting leisure venue for all ages and abilities.
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“While we’re currently the sole facility in Norwich offering padel tennis, we’re excited about the possibility of promoting this sport in the region.
“Should other facilities decide to introduce padel tennis, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and expand the sport’s presence in our community.”
The court is open from 8am to 9pm every day, with a July offer of £24 an hour to play
