The studies are mounting on the benefits of racquet sports. Padel is skyrocketing in popularity, and in 2024 alone, 3,282 new padel clubs opened globally, which amounts to nearly nine per day. The total number of padel courts surpassed 50,000, up 17% year-over-year. In one interesting study, the researchers revealed that regularly playing padel can help improve cardiovascular fitness, coordination and balance, strength and agility, motor skills, and mental sharpness, to name more than a few.
Interview with the founder of Padel United Sports Club
To learn more about this fun, engaging racquet sport, I asked Jon Krieger, the founder of Padel United Sports Club, to share his insight. Padel United Sports Club is a design-forward indoor facility located just 20 minutes from Manhattan in Tenafly, NJ, and Krieger is leading the charge to bring this global sport to the U.S. at a premium level, merging sport, social connection, and community. He also co-founded Bluestone Lane — the Australian-style coffee and café brand known for introducing flat whites and elevated café culture to the U.S., with over 70 locations nationwide. Krieger shares more about why padel is exploding, how it’s creating new business opportunities, and why it’s so much more than the next pickleball.
Why padel is different from pickleball or tennis
The Manual: For those who haven’t yet stepped out onto the padel court, how would you describe the sport?
Jon Krieger: Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, with more than 30 million players globally and a projected market value of over $500 million by 2032. Originating in Mexico, it’s best described as a blend of tennis and squash — a fast-paced game played on an enclosed court with stringless racquets. It’s easy to learn, incredibly social, and quickly becoming a staple in New Jersey’s fitness and recreation scene.
TM: How is padel different from pickleball and tennis in terms of the learning curve, intensity, and fun factor?
Jon Krieger: Padel stands out from pickleball and tennis in a few key ways. Unlike tennis, it’s easier to pick up quickly. It’s a smaller, enclosed court, and the use of the walls makes the ball more forgiving, so you can start rallying right away without spending months perfecting your swing. Compared to
The learning curve is gentle enough for beginners to feel successful immediately, but the depth of the sport keeps it challenging and exciting as you improve. Lastly, the social aspect makes it incredibly fun. Doubles play and constant action make padel as addictive as it is engaging.
Padel is more than the next pickleball
TM: Padel is surging in popularity around the globe. Why is padel more than the next pickleball? What sets this sport apart?
Jon Krieger: Padel is surging in popularity around the globe, and it’s easy to see why it’s more than just the next pickleball. With over 30 million players in more than 140 countries and over 3,200 new clubs opening worldwide in 2024 alone, the sport is truly global, providing padel players the opportunity to find a court no matter where they travel. What sets padel apart is its fast, dynamic, and addictive style of play, which is the very thing that hooked me into the sport.
The enclosed courts and surrounding walls create continuous action, keeping players moving and engaged from start to finish. The turf court provides a little give for joints, making it easier on the knees compared to traditional tennis or pickleball courts, which helps players stay active longer. Padel’s combination of accessibility, speed, strategy, and social interaction is what makes it so compelling and keeps people coming back for more.
TM: More men are becoming interested in trying out the sport. Why is padel an excellent sport for men?
Jon Krieger: Padel is an excellent sport for men because it combines competitiveness, strategy, and social connection in a way that keeps every match engaging. It’s also accessible enough for men of all ages and skill levels to enjoy without a steep learning curve. The doubles format encourages teamwork and friendly rivalry. Beyond the physical benefits, padel is social and community-driven, giving men a chance to network, bond, and stay active, all while having a ton of fun on the court. All that being said, 35% of our members are women, and they enjoy the game just as much, if not more, than the men do.
A serious full-body workout
TM: What kind of full-body workout do you get from this sport? What muscles are the most activated during play?
Jon Krieger: Padel is a full-body workout. The game engages your legs constantly as you’re running and pivoting across the court, really working your quads and calves. Your core is also heavily involved, keeping you balanced and powering your swings, while your arms, shoulders, and back get a solid workout from hitting the ball. Because the game is fast-paced and dynamic, it combines cardio, strength, and agility training in a way that keeps your heart rate up without ever feeling repetitive.
TM: Padel is increasingly popular because it’s social and fun. Recent research shows that regular padel practice can improve fitness and health, making it a good option for staying active. As the founder of Padel United Sports Club, what changes have you experienced in your own health since you started playing?
Jon Krieger: Padel has made a huge impact on my health. Playing regularly keeps my mind sharp and alert, and I feel fitter than ever since I made padel a part of my weekly routine. Beyond the courts, I take full advantage of our club’s wellness amenities, like the sauna, cold plunge, and the Ammortal chamber, which combines breathwork, red-light therapy, PEMF, and guided meditation. My goal with Padel United Sports Club has always been to promote fitness and wellness, and experiencing those benefits firsthand every day reinforces why this sport is so powerful.
Top padel performance tips
TM: Could you share some of your top tips with our readers to improve their playing performance on the court?
Jon Krieger: While I’m not a professional player, my top tip for improving your padel game is simple: have fun. Getting out on the court, taking lessons, and playing with people of all ages and skill levels will naturally help you improve. I also highly recommend taking a lesson or talking with a padel pro; they’re incredibly talented and passionate about the game, and even a single session can give you new strategies, techniques, and confidence on the court.
The personal journey of the founder of Padel United Sports Club
TM: Why and when did you first become interested in padel?
Jon Krieger: I had seen the rapid rise of pickleball and was presented with several opportunities to open a
I quickly began exploring a community-based wellness concept. I met my now co-founder, Benji Markoff, and we never looked back. Together, we set out to build a space that combined padel, wellness, and community for Tenafly and the surrounding area, and Padel United Sports Club was born.
TM: Could you share with our readers your story behind starting Padel United Sports Club?
Jon Krieger: I was born and raised in New York and began my career in commercial real estate, working on rollout strategies for brands like SoulCycle and helping co-found Bluestone Lane, growing it to 25 locations. After leaving the city and moving to Tenafly, NJ, with my family, I fell in love with the town. I saw an incredible opportunity to revitalize the local social scene, creating a downtown that people want to visit, bring their families and friends to, and enjoy living in. That’s when I opened Padel United Sports Club — a space that combines world-class padel courts, wellness amenities, and community.
Since then, I’ve founded our parent company, Cure Companies, and launched Spring House — a modern Italian restaurant and social hub located in the oldest house in Tenafly. I’ve also launched Blackwood Club, a private gun club that blends precision firearms shooting and training with country-club luxury; Wandering Que, a celebrated kosher smokehouse and catering company; and Rosto, a “fast-casual” Italian rotisserie chicken concept.
The business opportunities of padel
TM: How is padel creating new business opportunities?
Jon Krieger: Padel is opening up a whole new world of business opportunities for players and community members alike. At Padel United Sports Club, people often spend hours a day on the courts and in our facilities, naturally building connections across industries and backgrounds. Even our sauna, which seats 25, has become an unexpected networking hub. Members frequently strike up conversations and make professional connections during their sessions. By combining sport, wellness, and community, padel is fostering relationships that go beyond the game and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.
