John Lewis, has partnered with MRH Sport and Bullpadel to become the first major retailer in the country to sell padel tennis rackets.
Padel tennis, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, has seen a massive rise in popularity, with more than 90,000 people playing in the UK, a 1,400% increase since 2020. The sport is projected to attract 600,000 players in the UK by 2026.
The John Lewis online store now offers 18 different Bullpadel rackets, ranging in price from £79.99 to £264.99. Bullpadel is a leading global brand in padel tennis equipment.
The partnership with John Lewis marks a significant milestone for the sport in the UK.
MRH Sport, the official UK & Ireland distributor for Bullpadel, launched in May 2023. The company’s director, Max Holloway, commented on the collaboration, saying, “We are delighted to have secured this agreement with John Lewis, which is a huge endorsement for padel as it continues to take the UK by storm.
Being stocked at a highly credible and established retailer such as John Lewis just shows you where padel is right now, and will only help to elevate the sport and Bullpadel.”
The increasing popularity of padel tennis has led to the rapid growth of courts in the UK, with around 450 existing courts expected to reach 1,000 within the next two years.
Celebrity fans of padel tennis include sports icons like Lionel Messi, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron, and actors like Antonio Banderas and Hugh Grant.
John Lewis Sports Buyer Emilia Hougasian acknowledged the rapid rise of padel tennis, stating, “Padel is taking the UK by storm, and it’s certainly not showing any signs of slowing down.
The fact that it’s always played in doubles means it’s a very sociable sport – so it’s no wonder it’s such a hit. We predict it could soon rival sports like squash or badminton.”
Hougasian also highlighted the diverse range of Bullpadel rackets available through John Lewis, adding, “Bullpadel offers a wide range of rackets – from those for beginners to some of the best players in the world.”
With the expanding padel community and this strategic tie-up with John Lewis, the future looks promising for the sport in the UK.