Ultimate Double? Serena Williams Surprises Padel Players In Miami

BusinessSportsMoneyUltimate Double? Serena Williams Surprises Padel Players In MiamiByAndy Frye,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm based in Chicago and have written for ESPN and Rolling Stone.Follow AuthorApr 21, 2026, 12:04pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. Serena Williams has a new favorite racket sport called padel, which is a very social doubles sport she calls a mix of "tennis, racketball, and pickleball all in one."Carmen Mandato, Getty ImagesAfter a legendary career defined by shattering glass ceilings and conquering the court, Serena Williams is trading her tennis strings for a new challenge, a racket-based sport called padel.Pronounced “paddle” by some enthusiasts and “pah-DEL” by competitors in the professional league called Premier Padel (PPL), the sport has Spanish origins and is huge in Miami, Florida. When I spoke with Williams last month in Miami, she explained why she likes padel so much.“It’s a racket sport, and clearly I have a connection with racket sports,” Williams said, with a laugh. “I have fun with it. I’m not great yet. I am still discovering the walls.”Padel combines elements of tennis and squash and is usually played in doubles on a small, enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls that are incorporated into the game.The four-time Olympic gold medalist and 23-time singles Grand Slam winner was on hand on March 26 at Reserve Padel, a padel club in Miami’s Design District. There, padel enthusiasts can reserve a court or book a round of the popular game with others who share the buzz, on an app called Playtomic.Of padel, Williams said, “I get a crazy good workout. I’m sweaty, I’m sore. It’s like a mini-tennis. But a very hard version, because it’s intense. You have to have fast hands and good hand-eye coordination. So, it’s really fun.”On a sun-drenched Thursday afternoon, Williams...