Product
Pioneer of Padel Mike May in the incredible adventure from Houston to Acapulco
Basic Info
Mike May is a key figure in the history of padel. From 1998 to 2018, he served as President of the United States Padel Association (USPA) and made a decisive contribution to the development of this sport in the United States. The discovery of padel in 1993 marked a turning point in his career, which led him to participate in all the World Championships from 1994 to 2016. Mike continues to promote the sport and share his passion as Director of Racquet Sports at the Houston Club, where padel took its first steps in the United States. In this interview, he looks back on his career, his challenges and his anecdotes.
The beginnings in padel
Mike May says: “I discovered padel in 1993 thanks to Ed Thompson and Philippe Arnold, two pioneers who brought the sport from Argentina to the United States. At the time, I was a professional tennis player, but when Philippe showed me a VHS tape of a match between Alejandro Lasagas and Roberto Gattiker, I knew I wanted to try it. We organized a qualifying tournament in Houston to form a team that would represent the United States in Mexico. I remember our first match against Lasagas and Gattiker: we won only one game. It was a shock to realize how much more this sport required than just a tennis serve and volley.”
The Houstonian Club: the birthplace of padel in the United States
Mike May says: “In 1993, we installed the first padel court at the Houstonian Club. This court came from an event in Mexico and was built on an old tennis court. For months, I offered free initiations in the lobby of the club. I would say to the members: ‘Sir, I have an availability at 13 p.m. for a free lesson, are you interested?’. Quickly, the court was so busy that the club decided to build two more. This is how padel began to make a place for itself in the United States.”
A career rich in experiences
Mike May: “I had the honor of participating in 13 World Championships, from 1994 to 2016. Each tournament was a unique experience. At the beginning, we were novices. At the 1994 World Championship in Argentina, we had never played on a real court before arriving there. We lost 6-0, 6-0 against experienced teams, but with each tournament, we learned a little more.”
Unforgettable encounters and incredible anecdotes
Mike recalls unforgettable moments: Placido Domingo: “I played with him in Acapulco in a charity tournament. After the match, he invited us to his house. I was playing on the private court of Placido Domingo, one of the greatest opera singers in the world, and he said to me: ‘I can’t believe I’m playing with the number one American paddle tennis player.’ I thought: ‘Does he know he’s Placido Domingo?’” Diego Maradona: "At the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, I had the chance to play with Maradona. He even used his feet to play!" Corcuera Cup: “I participated in tournaments organized by the Corcuera family, who invented padel. Their events were incredible, held in sumptuous mansions overlooking the bay of Acapulco. It was a mixture of sport, luxury and culture.”
The Challenge of Introducing Padel to the United States
Mike May: "In the United States, the development of padel is slower than in Europe due to distances and regulations. Unlike Sweden or Belgium, where populations are concentrated, here the players are scattered throughout the territory. However, Texas is becoming a leader with clubs in Houston, Austin, Dallas and soon others will open."
An accessible and intergenerational sport
Mike May: “What makes padel special is that it is accessible to everyone. Unlike tennis, it does not require a high technical level. Couples, families and friends can all play together, whatever their level. I see parents playing with their children, couples sharing a sporting activity. It is also a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on your body.”
The Future of Padel in the USA
Mike May: “My goal is to continue building the infrastructure of padel and training coaches. I now run iPaddle Houston, a public facility where we organize events, classes and theme nights. I also help entrepreneurs launch their own projects thanks to my years of experience. This sport has enormous potential, but it needs to be actively promoted. If you build courts and just wait for people to come, it won’t work. You need to create a community around padel.”
Lessons for tennis players
A last word for padel fans
Mike May: “If you are already a player, introduce the sport to your friends. If you are a beginner, come and try it, you will quickly be hooked. Padel is the new playground: it brings people together, has fun and stays active. And above all, it brings something that few sports offer: a real community.”
This interview illustrates how much Mike May has left his mark on the history of padel. His anecdotes, his commitment and his vision for the future are testament to his passion and contribution to the development of this fascinating sport.
Sports equipment for padel court manufacturer's promotion is in progress: Click to contact us now
Mike May says: “I discovered padel in 1993 thanks to Ed Thompson and Philippe Arnold, two pioneers who brought the sport from Argentina to the United States. At the time, I was a professional tennis player, but when Philippe showed me a VHS tape of a match between Alejandro Lasagas and Roberto Gattiker, I knew I wanted to try it. We organized a qualifying tournament in Houston to form a team that would represent the United States in Mexico. I remember our first match against Lasagas and Gattiker: we won only one game. It was a shock to realize how much more this sport required than just a tennis serve and volley.”
The Houstonian Club: the birthplace of padel in the United States
Mike May says: “In 1993, we installed the first padel court at the Houstonian Club. This court came from an event in Mexico and was built on an old tennis court. For months, I offered free initiations in the lobby of the club. I would say to the members: ‘Sir, I have an availability at 13 p.m. for a free lesson, are you interested?’. Quickly, the court was so busy that the club decided to build two more. This is how padel began to make a place for itself in the United States.”
A career rich in experiences
Mike May: “I had the honor of participating in 13 World Championships, from 1994 to 2016. Each tournament was a unique experience. At the beginning, we were novices. At the 1994 World Championship in Argentina, we had never played on a real court before arriving there. We lost 6-0, 6-0 against experienced teams, but with each tournament, we learned a little more.”
Unforgettable encounters and incredible anecdotes
Mike recalls unforgettable moments: Placido Domingo: “I played with him in Acapulco in a charity tournament. After the match, he invited us to his house. I was playing on the private court of Placido Domingo, one of the greatest opera singers in the world, and he said to me: ‘I can’t believe I’m playing with the number one American paddle tennis player.’ I thought: ‘Does he know he’s Placido Domingo?’” Diego Maradona: "At the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, I had the chance to play with Maradona. He even used his feet to play!" Corcuera Cup: “I participated in tournaments organized by the Corcuera family, who invented padel. Their events were incredible, held in sumptuous mansions overlooking the bay of Acapulco. It was a mixture of sport, luxury and culture.”
The Challenge of Introducing Padel to the United States
Mike May: "In the United States, the development of padel is slower than in Europe due to distances and regulations. Unlike Sweden or Belgium, where populations are concentrated, here the players are scattered throughout the territory. However, Texas is becoming a leader with clubs in Houston, Austin, Dallas and soon others will open."
An accessible and intergenerational sport
Mike May: “What makes padel special is that it is accessible to everyone. Unlike tennis, it does not require a high technical level. Couples, families and friends can all play together, whatever their level. I see parents playing with their children, couples sharing a sporting activity. It is also a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on your body.”
The Future of Padel in the USA
Mike May: “My goal is to continue building the infrastructure of padel and training coaches. I now run iPaddle Houston, a public facility where we organize events, classes and theme nights. I also help entrepreneurs launch their own projects thanks to my years of experience. This sport has enormous potential, but it needs to be actively promoted. If you build courts and just wait for people to come, it won’t work. You need to create a community around padel.”
Lessons for tennis players
Mike May: “Many tennis players think they can dominate in padel, but it’s not that simple. This sport requires patience and an understanding of the walls. In my first tournament in Acapulco, I was frustrated losing to players with an ‘ugly’ technique. But they understood the game better. I learned to put my ego aside and master the subtleties of padel.”
A last word for padel fans
Mike May: “If you are already a player, introduce the sport to your friends. If you are a beginner, come and try it, you will quickly be hooked. Padel is the new playground: it brings people together, has fun and stays active. And above all, it brings something that few sports offer: a real community.”
This interview illustrates how much Mike May has left his mark on the history of padel. His anecdotes, his commitment and his vision for the future are testament to his passion and contribution to the development of this fascinating sport.
Sports equipment for padel court manufacturer's promotion is in progress: Click to contact us now
