Former British tennis number one Tim Henman has endorsed the inclusion of padel courts in Wimbledon's planned expansion. The sport, a hybrid of tennis and squash, is experiencing rapid growth in Britain. Henman views it as a community benefit, while fellow former number one Laura Robson expresses mixed feelings.
Tim Henman, a former British number one and board member at the All England Club, has spoken in favor of incorporating padel courts into Wimbledon's expansion plans. Speaking individually at a Sky Sports tennis season launch event at Padium in Canary Wharf, Henman highlighted the potential for the new site across Church Road from the main Wimbledon grounds, formerly the Wimbledon Park Golf Club.
"In my opinion, for the community, across the road with that space, there definitely could be an opportunity," Henman said. He praised padel as "a great game" that is expanding quickly and accessible to everyone, noting it is easier than tennis. The sport, which originated in Mexico over 60 years ago and has long been popular in Spain, has seen a boom in Britain since before the Covid-19 pandemic. Courts have grown from a handful to over 1,600, with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) becoming its national governing body in 2020.
Henman demonstrated his padel skills at the event, which also featured social media influencers, underscoring the sport's trendy appeal. He dismissed concerns that padel threatens tennis, stating the LTA's involvement is wise to prevent clubs from converting tennis courts en masse. Instead, he sees it as an enhancement for tennis clubs, encouraging more activity and social engagement.
However, Wimbledon's expansion remains hypothetical, stalled by legal challenges. Laura Robson, another former British number one, doubts the feasibility, saying, "I can’t see them putting up walls." Still, she acknowledged personal benefits, as she often struggles to book courts.
Critics of padel's growth point to issues like increased club prices and noise complaints from residents, but Henman remains supportive, calling it "another string to the bow of tennis clubs." By the end of 2026, the UK could have over 600,000 padel players.