Luis Ramirez’s journey from tennis to leading USA padel
The episode opens with the story of Luis Ramirez, the current USPA Men’s Head Padel Coach, whose journey into padel began after a successful career in tennis. Originally from Venezuela, Ramirez moved to the United States at 18 on a tennis scholarship, playing Division I at New Mexico State University and later competing professionally, reaching a career-high ATP ranking of 585 and representing Venezuela in Davis Cup. After transitioning to a coaching and business career in Miami, padel entered his life in 2018—a moment that would shape his future in racket sports.
Ramirez describes his first encounter with padel as both humbling and motivating. Despite his tennis background, he quickly realized the unique tactical and technical demands of padel, especially the use of walls, lobs, and the need for patience and point construction. The transition, he notes, is ongoing even after several years, as instincts from tennis must be adapted to the more strategic, less power-driven nature of padel.
Key differences between tennis and padel for athletes
The channel’s discussion highlights the fundamental differences between tennis and padel, especially for players transitioning between the sports. In tennis, power and precision are paramount, with points typically lasting only a few seconds. Padel, on the other hand, is characterized by longer rallies—often 15 to 20 seconds at the professional level—and a greater emphasis on tactical play and patience.
Ramirez points out that while tennis rewards aggressive play and physical stamina, padel requires players to control the pace, read the game, and exploit weaknesses through intelligent shot selection. The walls add complexity, forcing players to think several shots ahead and adapt quickly to opponents’ strategies. This shift, he says, is what makes padel both challenging and addictive for former tennis players.
Building a competitive USA padel team for the world stage
As head coach, Ramirez’s mission is to elevate the USA Men’s National Team to compete with established powerhouses like Spain and Argentina. The channel details the recent qualifying campaign in Monterrey, where both the men’s and women’s teams delivered strong performances—most notably, the women’s team defeating Mexico on their home turf to secure a World Championship spot.
Ramirez shares his ambitious goal for the upcoming Padel World Championship in Qatar: to finish as a top-10 nation. He emphasizes the importance of team selection, preparation, and fostering a professional mindset among players, many of whom are still self-funding their training and travel. The USA team features a blend of young talent and experienced leaders, including:
- Beini Francesco – 18-year-old rising star
- Matias Aurrecoechea – Top 10 FIP-ranked player
- Nico Arellano (“Captain America”) – Team captain and model of American padel development
- JP Arispe – The team’s only left-hander, bringing valuable experience
- Fernando Larrain – Former USA No. 1 and veteran presence
- Sebastian Castaneda – Young Californian with cross-border experience
- Raul “Rulito” Ruiz – Pan-American standout
- Will Arellano – Dedicated player and part of a padel-focused family
This roster reflects the growing depth and diversity of American padel, with players coming from different backgrounds and regions.
Challenges and opportunities for padel growth in the USA
The creator and Ramirez dive into the structural hurdles facing padel’s expansion in the United States. Currently, padel is often seen as a high-end, entertainment-focused sport, accessible mainly to affluent families due to the cost of court time and limited infrastructure. Ramirez stresses the need for more accessible courts, junior programs, and incentives for club owners to invest in youth development.
He advocates for club owners to create opportunities for juniors, even if it means sacrificing some short-term revenue. The USPA is beginning to offer grants to incentivize junior programming, but the sport’s growth will ultimately depend on expanding the infrastructure beyond elite urban centers like Miami. The discussion draws parallels to the growth of soccer in the U.S., noting that padel must reach mainstream communities and integrate with existing sports facilities to thrive.
Padel’s future in American sports culture and club business models
The conversation shifts to the business and cultural aspects of padel’s future in the U.S. The hosts and Ramirez agree that padel’s success will mirror the evolution of other racket sports, particularly as country clubs and tennis facilities add padel courts to diversify their offerings. With over 280,000 tennis courts in the U.S., there’s significant potential for conversion and new construction.
They also highlight the importance of adapting padel’s teaching and branding to American culture, making it approachable for non-Spanish-speaking players and leveraging lessons from the rapid rise of pickleball. Ramirez believes that as more clubs open and the sport becomes more visible—especially among influential and affluent communities—padel will become more accessible and affordable for everyone.
However, the hosts caution that club success will depend on quality programming, coaching, and community-building. Only clubs that offer a superior experience and adapt to local needs will survive as competition increases.
Vision for USA padel and the road to the Olympics
Looking ahead, Ramirez envisions a future where padel is a mainstream American sport, supported by a robust ecosystem of clubs, coaches, and junior programs. He sees the potential for padel to become an Olympic sport by 2032 or 2036, which would provide further validation and support for its growth.
For now, Ramirez remains committed to building the sport at every level, combining his expertise in sports and business to help open new clubs and foster a sense of community. He encourages collaboration among club owners and stakeholders, emphasizing that the sport’s long-term success depends on unity and shared vision.
- Padel in the USA is still in its early stages, with infrastructure and accessibility as key challenges.
- Success will require adapting the sport to American culture and learning from the growth of other racket sports.
- The USA national team is making significant strides, driven by a mix of homegrown and international talent.
- Continued investment in junior development and club programming is essential for sustainable growth.
With leaders like Ramirez at the helm, USA padel is poised for an exciting future on both the national and world stage.
