New padel facility opens in Sorrento Valley

(FOX 5/KUSI) — A new padel facility in Sorrento Valley wants to capitalize on the sport's growing popularity.

“Padel is the fastest growing sport in the entire world,” said Aaron Hasnain, Founder & CEO of Padel N9NE, which runs the new facility. 

Padel is a mix of tennis, squash, and racquetball, and it could quickly become your next outdoor obsession. 

“Incredibly easy to pick up, incredibly hard to master,” continued Hasnain. “Just a blast to play.”

The rules are simple. Serve underhand cross-court behind the white line, smack, and it’s game on. 

“You have the ability to play the ball off the wall, so the point doesn’t typically end right away,” continued Hasnain. 

“If the ball goes past you, it still comes back off the wall in play. It’s very social, requires 4 people to play, you’re in close proximity to one another, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.”

The sport was founded in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969, and it has spread ever since.

“For us, it’s about growing the sport here in San Diego, building community with one another,” added Hasnain. “We hope this is the premier destination in the United States for all of Padel.” 

With more than 25 million active players spanning 90 countries, according to the International Padel Federation, Padel N9NE hopes to continue that momentum here in San Diego, hosting its first major tournament this weekend. 

“We‘ll have some of the top players from the United States competing for a $15,000 prize purse,” added Hasnain. “We’re open to all spectators free of charge.”

“Our goal is for us to be one of the premier destinations for padel, sports, and lifestyle in San Diego and on the West Coast,” continued Hasnain. “We have 8 world-class padel courts, luxury upscale amenities, bars, restaurants, and are anchored around social wellbeing and living an athletic lifestyle.”