Padel tennis courts reopen in Strubens Valley

Padel tennis courts at the iJump Arena in Strubens Valley have reopened on 2 September after four long months of no activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under the relaxed Level 2 regulations, fitness centres are allowed to reopen, but under strict conditions and protocols.

The courts open seven days a week at 10am and the last session starts at 5pm till 6pm. It costs R240 for an hour for four people (R60 pp), and hiring a padel is R40 for the hour.

“We know how important it is for people to be active, and the particular role padel tennis can have in the physical and mental well-being of those who play it,” said Marketing Manager and padel tennis addict, Bradley Sybesma.

It is an activity whereby close person to person contact can be avoided, making it a good activity that can be undertaken in a way compliant with social-distancing restrictions.

It is the biggest growing sport in South Africa and was introduced to the West Rand community at a launch that took place on 29 February this year at iJump Clearwater Crossing.

Padel tennis is a game adapted from tennis and enthusiasts have been playing the sport for over a century. It’s played with a solid padel racquet as opposed to a strung racquet; however, when compared to tennis, the court is smaller, it has no doubles lanes, and the net is lower.

“The sport is fun, social and certainly easier than traditional tennis. It is a mix of tennis and squash, with the ability to return shots off the glass wall,” said Bradley.

Padel tennis has over 12 million players around the world and is the second biggest sport in Spain after soccer.