Babolat expands partnership with Club Med to include padel

The longtime partnership between one of the world's largest racquet-sport manufacturers and the world's largest sport and wellness club is adding a new dimension. Babolat and Club Med are teaming up to bring padel to vacationers worldwide.

Club Med has pioneered the all-inclusive resort concept since its founding in 1950. The two French brands have worked together since 2005, with the Babolat providing tennis equipment and instruction for beginners and expert players alike at the company's resorts. Recreational players who want to improve their tennis games can take part in daily group or private lessons, as well as organized tournaments, at Club Med, and over the years, Babolat has offered clinics at resorts with tennis champions including wheelchair legend Stephane Houdet and former Grand Slam doubles champion Michael Llodra.

That collaboration now includes padel: 20 padel courts have already been installed at six of Club Med's 65 award-winning resorts, and by 2025, the companies hope to have courts installed at at least 10 more.

Last summer, six padel courts were installed at Club Med Magna in Marbella, the birthplace of the sport in Europe, and currently also feature at Club Med resorts in the Seychelles; Opio-en-Provence, France; Phuket, Thailand; Bali, Indonesia; and Gregolimano, Greece.

At Club Med, padel is offered to guests ages 6 and up as part of its Mini Club Med+ program—the resort's childcare program. Older children can take advantage of lessons, free access to courts, and free Babolat padel equipment. In March of 2021, Club Med's first padel school opened at Club Med Exclusive Collection Seychelles.

"Babolat and Club Med share common values, including team spirit, the joy of making progress, and the pleasure of the game," Babolat said in a press release. "Together, the brands promote and support the development of new sports and sporting practices. For now, the focus is on padel, which represents a strategic area of development at the international level for both Club Med and Babolat."