Charlotte Padel Club recently added three new courts, doubling the number of padel courts in Mecklenburg County.
Why it matters: It's the era of the racquet sport. Pickleball gets much of the attention, but padel — which most players describe as a mix of tennis and squash — is slowly catching up.
Catch up quick: Charlotte Padel Club opened about a year and a half ago, co-owner Raquel Correa tells Axios. She and her husband Miquel moved here from Miami five years ago. They opted to build their own padel courts when they couldn't find any around Charlotte.
- Charlotte Padel Club rents space at Matthews Tennis & Swim Club, just outside I-485, and operates as a separate business.
What to expect: The padel courts are all outdoors with glass walls, turf, lights and a higher net than a tennis or pickleball court.
- Memberships start at $50 per month, but you do not have to be a member to play here. Find details about court reservations and their free intro session here .
Padel is played with a tennis ball on turf. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
The social area includes patio-style seating with tables, chairs and umbrellas, plus a gazebo with seating. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
You can buy or rent paddles at the club's pro shop. Paddles range from $100-$400 or you can rent one for $10. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
The big picture: Having more courts allows Charlotte Padel Club to host more events and tournaments, like the BodyArmor State Games last month and the Summer Open July 26-28.
- People have traveled from Raleigh, Atlanta and Asheville to play at Charlotte Padel Club, Correa says. Visiting players turn it into a long weekend, she adds.
- The deadline to sign up for the Summer Open is Friday, July 19, or when the tournament sells out. Find future event details here .
What's next: At least three of the six courts should have a roof canopy by late fall, but there'll be space between the canopy and glass walls to keep the open-air, outdoor feel, Correa says.
- Ultimately they'd love to have a second location closer to Uptown.
Stop by: Charlotte Padel Club is located at 2110 Pleasant Plains Road .
Zoom out: Charlotte Padel Club is one of two clubs in North Carolina, according the United States Padel Association , the sport's national governing body in the U.S. The other is North Hills Club in Raleigh, which has three courts.
- Plus, there are plans to add 16 courts in Raleigh at a new racquet sports complex called Swing Racquet + Paddle .
The bottom line: Padel, which is wildly popular abroad, continues to gain traction across the United States, from New York and Philadelphia to California and Texas .
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