Battersea Sports Centre has launched a new outdoor padel court as demand continues to rise for the fast-growing racket sport that combines tennis and squash.
The court, which offers more than 95 weekly bookable slots for beginners and experienced players, was opened on Monday, May 25 by Places Leisure which runs the centre on behalf of Wandsworth Council.
It is one of several improvements made to the facility since the management company took operational control of the centre eight months ago – including an upgraded fitness suite, improved 3G pitch and refurbished dojo, sports hall and reception.
Ed Lane, Contract Manager at Places Leisure, said: “We are thrilled that our new padel court is ready to welcome players of all abilities. Padel is an incredibly accessible sport – you don’t need to have played racket sports before, and you don’t need a high level of fitness to play.
“For us, these court are about more than sport, they are spaces where people can come together, build friendships and be part of something positive whilst staying active in an enjoyable way.”
Participation in padel more than doubled from 400,000 players in 2024 to 860,000 by the end of 2025, according to Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the UK’s national governing body for the sport.
Additional upgrades to the centre are planned for the summer, featuring a revamped gym layout and new equipment.
Battersea Sports Centre’s opening hours are Monday to Friday 7am-10pm and Saturday to Sunday 9am- 5pm.
Click here to book: Places Leisure
Main Image: New Padel court at Battersea Sports Centre. Credit: Places Leisure
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