In this episode of the Padel Smash Academy Podcast, Cesc and Julian sit down with Alejandro Hernández, co-owner of the Pro Padel League's Las Vegas Smash. Alejandro shares his deep-rooted background in racket sports, his personal journey into the world of Padel, and why he believes this sport is just getting started. He gives us an inside look at the evolution of the PPL, the strategic moves being made to grow the league, and what it takes to build a competitive and sustainable team in a rapidly growing league. A must-listen for anyone curious about the business and future of Padel in the USA.

Cesc & Julian sit down with Diane Gotua, Chief Commercial Officer of the Pro Padel League

In this episode, Cesc and Julian are joined by Diane Gotua, the powerhouse behind the commercial vision of the Pro Padel League. With nearly a decade as Vice President and Head of Global Business Operations & Strategy at the NBA, and most recently as SVP of Global Strategy at Fanatics, Diane brings a world-class sports business pedigree to the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world.

Diane shares her personal introduction to padel, what excites her most about the league’s potential, and how her experiences with two of the biggest sports brands on the planet are shaping her vision for the Pro Padel League’s expansion, audience development, and commercial strategy.

If you're passionate about the business side of sports and the future of Padel in North America, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of the Padel Smash Academy audio podcast, Cesc and Julian sit down with Jennifer Shpilsky, Chief Brand Officer of the Los Angeles Padel Club and proud representative of the LA Beat—one of the standout teams in the Pro Padel League. Jennifer shares her unique vision for bringing world-class padel to the heart of LA, including a stunning multi-court outdoor facility built on the grounds of a restored historic mansion in Culver City. From her cross-cultural background to her passion for creating community, Jennifer talks about the challenges and opportunities in launching one of the most exciting padel destinations in the country. Tune in to hear how the LA Beat is setting the tone for the future of padel in Los Angeles and beyond.

Episode Highlights:

• The story behind LA Padel Club’s historic location
• How LA Beat is shaping pro padel in the U.S.
• Jennifer’s vision for padel culture and community in LA
• Building a brand that blends old Hollywood charm with the energy of a new global sport

In this episode of Padel Smash Academy, Cesc and Julian sit down with Mike Dorfman, the CEO of the Pro Padel League (PPL), to talk about the explosive growth of Padel and the league’s mission to bring the sport into the American spotlight. Mike shares how his background in tech and insurance shaped his vision for the PPL, why he believes padel is at the tipping point in the U.S., and what it takes to turn eyeballs into diehard fans.

They dive into the league’s luxury brand partnerships with Adidas, Equinox, and Eataly, the media strategy behind deals with Tennis Channel and DAZN, and how the PPL is creating a blueprint for what a modern sports league should look like. From converting casual fans to building a lifestyle around padel, this conversation is packed with insight for players, investors, and entrepreneurs alike.

Check out the Pro Padel League in person this weekend.
PPL Miami @ Wayfair Arena
Buy Tickets: https://www.tixr.com/groups/propadelleague

In this episode, Cesc and Julian sit down with Kari Gunnarsson, the visionary CEO and former top-100 badminton pro behind Clutch, the most innovative AI camera system built specifically for Padel. Kari shares the incredible journey from building AI tools for elite badminton coaching during the COVID lockdowns to launching Clutch across 15+ countries.

Discover how Clutch is revolutionizing padel with:

• Instant match highlights and performance insights
• Real-time AI analytics for coaches and players
• Seamless QR code court activation and mobile access
• Affordable pricing for clubs and players
• Built-in tools for training, social media sharing, and even automated ratings

Kari breaks down how the tech works, what sets Clutch apart from other smart cameras, and why AI-powered video is becoming as essential as floodlights in the modern padel club.

Whether you’re a player, coach, club owner, or just obsessed with innovation in padel, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a glimpse into the future of the sport.

🎧 Available now on all podcast platforms.
📲 Brought to you by Padel Smash Academy.

In this inspiring episode of the Padel Smash Academy Podcast, Cesc & Julian sit down with a true Padel pioneer and rising star: Adrian Reino and his daughter Ornella Beltramino, the current #1 ranked female junior player in the United States.

Adrian shares the remarkable journey of opening the first-ever padel club in the U.S. back in 2009, building a community before anyone knew what Padel was. From putting up nets on empty courts and advertising in newspapers to shaping the roots of the sport in Florida—his story is one of passion, sacrifice, and vision.

Then, we meet 11-year-old Ornella Beltramino, who is quickly making waves in the international Padel scene. Training in Spain with one of the world’s top academies and mentored by none other than Paula Josemaría, Ornella opens up about:

• Her transition from tennis to padel
• Competing in tournaments with 800+ teams
• Representing the U.S. in the upcoming Junior World Cup
• Her daily routine, sacrifices, and big dream: becoming #1 in the world

It’s a powerful conversation about family, legacy, and chasing greatness—this is a must-listen for every padel fan.

🎧 Tune in now and remember the name: Ornella Beltramino.

In this follow-up interview, Cesc and Julian sit down once again with Nalle Grinda, co-founder and Chief of Padel at Padel X, to explore how one of the most ambitious padel projects in the U.S. has grown since our last chat — when construction had just wrapped.

From hosting the largest tournaments in U.S. padel history to training the next generation of American talent, Padel X has become a cornerstone in the sport’s development across South Florida and beyond.

In this episode, Nalle shares:

• What’s worked (and what’s surprised him) in year one of Padel X
• Why Padel X focused on player experience first — from turf to lighting
• Why nurturing youth talent is key to preparing the U.S. for the Olympic stage
• The future of padel in America and the bold expansion plans ahead
• Whether you're a club owner, player, or padel investor, this episode is a masterclass in building something truly impactful.

🎙️ Listen now and find out why Nalle says the sky's the limit for padel in the USA.

In this episode of the Padel Smash Academy Podcast, Cesc sits down with Sabah Alsabah, the founder of Padel Up LLC, a standout club located in Sterling, Virginia. Sabah shares his journey into the world of padel, his entrepreneurial background, and what it really took to launch a successful padel club in the U.S.

From navigating the early stages of launching the business to scaling up his membership base, Sabah opens up about the strategies that worked, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned along the way. They also dive into the club’s pricing structure, services, and what makes Padel Up a unique experience for players of all levels.

🎥 Don't miss the full video walkthrough of the Padel Up club, now live on the Padel Smash Academy YouTube Channel — a perfect companion to this inspiring conversation.