KNYSNA NEWS - The Liv Padel Qualifiers produced a day of competitive action in Knysna last Saturday, with high-energy rallies and closely contested matches drawing strong spectator interest.
Players competed from the opening serve through to the final, with consistent support from the crowd as points were contested at pace.
Werner Pauw, Oz Cambell, Zelda van der Vyver and Peter Szeili emerged as the overall winners and qualified to represent Knysna at the Garden Route Padel Opens finals, scheduled to take place at the Virgin Active Padel Club in George on 14 March.
What is padel?
Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports globally and continues to expand rapidly in South Africa. The sport is typically played in doubles on a smaller, glass-enclosed court and combines elements of tennis and squash.
Matches are characterised by longer rallies and an emphasis on placement and teamwork rather than power, making the game accessible to players across a wide range of skill levels.
Organiser Wanda de Villiers said the Liv Padel Qualifiers reflected the increasing interest in padel locally, with participation, skill level and spectator numbers continuing to rise as the sport becomes more popular.
Approaching the net to pounce. Photos: Wyndham Ewerts
The matches were marked by good sportsmanship throughout.
My ball!
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