In the last few years, the game of padel has become Miami’s hottest new trend. Padel, a sport that’s been compared to pickleball and racquetball, came to life in Mexico during the 1960’s. And now, it’s a growing phenomenon in Southern Florida — particularly within Miami’s tech industry. Padel courts are popping up everywhere — and even local stars like Jimmy Butler have taken up padel as a sport.
We spoke to Alessandro Giuliato, a tennis and padel pro about his experience with the game, how to play and the best gear to start. He says just about anyone can pick it up — you don’t need much more than an affordable racket and a pair of sneakers that will hold up to the game to try it yourself.
“You don’t have to be a pro athlete to pick it up, but it’s competitive enough to keep people engaged,” he tells Miami Herald. “Once you try padel, you’re going to be hooked! It’s fast-paced and incredibly fun — hard not to love it after just one game.”
Pro Recommended Padel Gear
Giuliato mostly wears Gosymba, a.k.a “the lion brand,” but it isn’t available in the U.S. yet. So he helped us pick padel gear from other brands that have entered the scene over the last few years.
Men’s Sneaks: Keep your footwork light and quick with Adidas’ Crazyquick Lightstrike Padel Tennis Sneaker. Even though tennis sneakers are quite similar to padel sneakers, padel-specific shoes are lighter and generally more flexible.
Women’s Sneaks: Put your game face on, when you lace up Babolat’s Sensa Padel Shoes. They’ll keep you going for hours comfortably and are light and quick on your feet, without feeling like you’re going to slip.
Carry It: Take your gear with you, wherever you go, with Babolat’s Padel Backpack. It’s durable, resistant and made from recycled materials — which we love. Plus, it has two compartments: one for your racket, and the other for the rest of your gear.
Spares: They look similar but you can’t use a regular tennis ball! Padel balls like Wilson X3 are smaller and softer than tennis balls.
Slam It: Wilson’s Defy V1 Padel Racket features a textured surface that grips the ball, making it easier to hit accurately, even with a little top spin. The holes optimize power, too, helping deliver accurate shots every time.
Keep It Comfortable: Adidas’ Metalbone Padel Racket features a comfortable, secure grip. Stiff carbon fiber construction means less flexibility and more power for better ball control.
Giuliato’s Go-To Racket: Giuliato’s go-to racket is the Royal Padel. The carbon material provides both absorption and power, which will get you through any games to come.
As a Lifelong Tennis Player, Giuliato Improved His Padel Game Quickly
Unlike many professional athletes, Giuliato wasn’t playing his sport from a super young age. He tells us he started out playing tennis — he played through college and even went pro. But soon after picking up padel, Giuliato realized he could see a professional future with it, too. Now, he loves to play at places like Reserve, Padel X and Ultra Padel.
“After finishing my college tennis career, I started playing more seriously and quickly realized I could be competitive at a high level,” he says.
Now, He’s Watching the Game Go Viral — Particularly Within the Tech Industry
Giuliato feels the buzz behind padel stems likely from its accessibility. Anyone can play, and the game is social and highly interactive, by nature.
“People can play and just have a good time, but it can also be a way of doing business and making new connections,” Giuliato explains.
He compares the pace and vibe of the game to the tech industry: Collaborative and fast.
“It’s not just a game; it’s a breeding ground for ideas,” Giuliato says. “Conversations that might feel forced in a boardroom happen naturally on the court. Deals get sparked and partnerships take root.”
With Wellness on the Rise, The Sport of Padel Beats Any Smoke Break
Giuliato also says it’s becoming popular within the tech industry because of the growing focus on wellness. He says he’s met several investors on the court, and evidently, it’s becoming the new pitch meeting.
“People want to move, connect, and feel energized—not sit through another Zoom call,” he says. “Padel lets you do all of that.”
How Do You Play Padel? It Requires Coordination, Strategy and Practice
Even though the sport of padel seems like “mini tennis,” Giuliato says it’s all about angles and anticipation. You play off the glass walls, and use the rebounds to your advantage, focusing on positioning and your connection with your partner. And while it’s easy to learn, it’s more difficult to play competitively.
“Instead of going for flashy winners, focus on controlled, accurate shots,” Giuliato explains. “A good lob can flip the point in your favor, and the team that gets to the net first usually has the upper hand. So work on transitioning forward and volleying with control—not just smashing the ball.”
