At just 12 years old, Ryden ‘Mr Slick’ Forsyth is already setting his sights on the world’s biggest padel stages after earning the opportunity to serve as an official ball boy at the Premier Padel P1 tournament.

The young athlete, who played soccer for 10 years before discovering padel just 18 months ago, said stepping onto the court alongside the world’s best players was an experience he will never forget.

“I played my first padel game with my family and loved it straight away,” Forsyth said. “I enjoyed how fast, exciting and tactical the game was. From that day on, I wanted to play as much as possible, and now I train almost every day,” he shared.

His selection as a ball boy was the result of a competitive process that included a selection tournament, three days of specialised training and officiating during the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals before the final team was chosen.

“It wasn’t something that just happened – it was a journey,” he explained. “I was so excited and incredibly proud when I found out I had been selected,” Forsyth excitedly shared.

During the tournament, Forsyth’s role was to ensure matches ran smoothly by collecting and returning balls quickly, remaining alert throughout every point and assisting players whenever needed.

The experience also gave him the chance to meet some of the sport’s biggest names, including Arturo Coello, Agustín Tapia, Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto.

“Every single one of them was so friendly. Watching them up close showed me how much confidence they have and how they stay calm under pressure. It was also amazing to see some of the underdogs beat the number one seeds. That proved that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and keep fighting,” he said.

For Forsyth, the highlight was being court side and witnessing the speed, skill and teamwork of the world’s top players.

“Being selected was honestly a dream come true. It made me even more motivated to work hard because one day I hope I’m not collecting balls – I’m the one playing in Premier Padel,” he shared.

His ambitions stretch far beyond this achievement. Ryden hopes to represent South Africa on the international stage and one day compete on the Premier Padel Tour against the very players he recently met.

He also has a message for other young athletes chasing their dreams. “Never stop believing in yourself. Work hard, enjoy every moment and don’t be afraid to dream big. There will be tough days, but if you stay positive, keep learning and never give up, amazing opportunities can come your way,” he said.

Forsyth credited his success to his faith, his parents, coaches, sponsors and everyone who has supported him along the way.

Signing off with his trademark confidence, Mr Slick said, “One day I’ll be back at Premier Padel – but hopefully with a racket in my hand.”