Matty Thomas on the rise of padel and Laykold’s new offering
The Laykold Ambassador, coach and player talks the padel boom and why it’s the sport of the future.
Matty Thomas, originally from Cornwall in the UK, has been a driving force in the unstoppable rise of padel. After pioneering the first padel club in the UK in 2013, he brought the sport to Australia, establishing the first club in Sydney in 2015. Matty is a padel coach, player, consultant, and ambassador for Laykold, and a linchpin in the sport’s expansion across Asia and Australia.
Matty at the 2024 National Sorts Convention in Melbourne, Australia
You started out as a tennis player. What drew you to padel, and how did your journey with the sport begin?
I first encountered padel in Spain back in 2002 when I was there for tennis, and I just fell in love with the sport. It had a fun, skillful aspect that really appealed to me. In tennis, certain shots like lobs or drop shots are more controlled, but in padel, all those fun, creative shots are encouraged. It felt like a weight had been lifted. That blend of enjoyment and skill was a big part of what drew me in. Plus, I saw an opportunity—padel was huge in Spain, but it hadn’t yet reached the UK.
Padel is one of the world’s fastest growing sports. What do you think is behind this worldwide growth?
Three things, really. First and foremost, it’s easier to play than tennis, which makes it more accessible. You serve underarm, the court is smaller, and the game gets going right away. Second, padel is more relaxed—there’s no strict dress code or membership rules like in traditional tennis clubs. You can just show up and play. And third, the events are a lot more dynamic. Brands sponsor these lively tournaments with music, blacked-out courts, and a festival-like atmosphere. It’s engaging, like an NBA event, compared to the more formal atmosphere associated with tennis.
“With Laykold, you know you’re getting a surface that will hold up for years. It’s a case of quality over cost—you’ll end up saving money in the long run by choosing a more durable product.”
How does the sport’s physical demands differ from tennis?
Padel is definitely easier on the body. The courts are smaller, so there’s less running, and you’re playing on artificial grass, which is softer on the joints. Plus, it’s always doubles, so you’ve got more coverage and don’t have to move as much. The softer surface and shorter distances make it a sport where people can play at a high level even as they get older. I’m 41, and I’m still playing professionally! That wouldn’t be the case in tennis. I think players can easily compete into their mid-40s or beyond because it’s more about tactics and positioning than raw power.
In which regions do you see padel growing the fastest?
Spain is still the global hub for padel, particularly in Madrid, which has the top players and coaches. But in Europe, Italy, France, and Sweden are seeing massive growth. Sweden, in particular, has experienced an explosion of courts in the last three years. Outside of Europe, Asia is booming and set for huge growth in the next few years—places like Indonesia are rapidly building courts, and in South Africa, it’s starting to take off, too.
From a business perspective, how does padel compare to tennis in terms of investment and space?
Padel makes business sense because it requires less space. You can almost fit three padel courts in the space of one tennis court, which means more players and therefore a higher return. The setup costs might seem a bit higher because you need to prepare the surface properly, but the return on investment is typically faster—some venues recover their costs in 15 to 18 months.
You’ve recently become a Laykold ambassador. As Laykold enters the padel market, what sets their courts apart from the competition?
Laykold has a really strong reputation and has for a long time. They’re the official surface for the US Open, and now they’re doing great things with padel courts. What I love about Laykold is that they offer both permanent and temporary courts. Their pop-up courts are top-notch—you can set one up or take it down in a day, as we did at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention in Melbourne in June this year. Also, Laykold’s surfaces are customizable in terms of color and sand levels, so you can adjust them for different styles of play. The fact that Laykold now has a warehouse in Malaysia makes it more accessible for venues across Asia, too.
What do you think makes Laykold a better choice for those investing in padel courts?
It’s about quality and reliability. Laykold offers a premium product, backed by the world’s largest sports surfaces company, so while the upfront cost might be higher than some other suppliers, you’re getting a court that will last longer and require less maintenance. I’ve seen venues that went with cheaper options, and they’re already having to resurface the courts within a year. With Laykold, you know you’re getting a surface that will hold up for years. It’s a case of quality over cost—you’ll end up saving money in the long run by choosing a more durable product.
Where do you see the future of padel in the next few years?
I think padel is on track for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. In Asia, especially, the growth is massive. We’re seeing more courts pop up every month, particularly in Indonesia. Australia is also catching up, with around 42 courts now and plans to reach 150 within three years. It’s an exciting time to be part of it, as a player, coach and entrepreneur, because it’s got so much going for it.
Get in touch
Ready to transform your padel facility? Contact us to learn more about how we can bring all the existing benefits of Laykold, plus great new padel features to you.
Learn more about Laykold’s padel court offering Padel — Laykold - Official Surface of the US Open.