How Padel Transformed My Fridays

A few years ago, stress caught up with me. My doctor gave it to me straight: get active or feel worse.

I used to play tennis and loved the competition, but finding regular partners was a headache. Then a friend introduced me to padel—and I was hooked.

What really pushed me to take it seriously was meeting Ahmed Mehaya. I interviewed him once and his story stayed with me.

After a life-changing road accident, he now plays with leg prosthetics. Still, every Friday, he shows up and battles top-level players without fail. His grit wiped out my excuses.

I’ve got two working legs—what was I waiting for?

A game that became a lifestyle

Since joining the Pinoy Padelista group, padel has turned into the highlight of my week.

We’re a friendly crew of about 200 players—mostly Filipinos with a few international friends—free to join and open to all levels. It feels less like a club and more like family.

Huge thanks to Christine and Rochelle, who help our incredible organizer, Aten Auro, keep everything humming. They make newcomers feel welcome from day one.

For many expats, this community fills the gap of being far from home—we share the court, the jokes, and the life updates.

And the food. Fridays are a feast as much as a sweat session. Pancit, cassava cake, bibingka, kutsinta, rice cakes—Mau, you’re a legend.

If there’s a birthday, Aten brings cake. We burn calories and earn them back, and no one’s complaining.

The unexpected benefits

Padel started as stress relief, but it’s become so much more. Week after week, it leaves me:

• Less stressed and genuinely happier
  
  
• Fitter, with better stamina, coordination, and flexibility
  
  
• Mentally steadier and more positive
  
  
• Connected to a community I care about
  
  
• Proud of a culture-rich, welcoming group
  
  

We play across Dubai, often in Al Quoz, but ISD Sports City and Paus Club are my favorites—clean courts, good vibes, and plenty of parking.

From isolation to inspiration

As an expat, loneliness can creep in. Padel changed that. It gave me purpose, people, and a reason to move.

Friday nights aren’t for clubs anymore—they’re for rallies, laughter between points, and being part of a team that feels like family.

If Ahmed can show up and crush it with prosthetic legs, what’s stopping me?

Source: gulfnews

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.