In the latest episode of Padel Smash Academy, hosts Cesc & Julian welcome Andi Neugarten, founder of 6LoveSports, to discuss her remarkable journey from tennis to padel and her mission to elevate women’s participation in the sport. As a seasoned athlete with over 90 marathons, multiple triathlons, and Ironman competitions under her belt, Andi has now set her sights on building a women’s padel community that fosters competition, networking, and empowerment.
From Tennis to Padel: Andi’s Athletic Beginnings
Andi’s love for racket sports began at the young age of five when her parents introduced her to tennis. Growing up in South Africa, she played competitively as a junior but had to put her racket down when apartheid policies limited her opportunities on the global stage. She ultimately chose to focus on academics instead of pursuing a professional career in tennis.
Years later, after moving to the United States, Andi transitioned into endurance sports, participating in over 100 marathons and multiple ultra-marathons. Her athletic journey continued as she taught herself swimming and cycling to compete in Ironman triathlons, proving her dedication to pushing physical and mental boundaries. However, it was Padel that reignited her passion for racket sports.
Discovering Padel: A New Challenge
After moving to Miami seven years ago, Andi first heard about padel through her tennis network. She was immediately intrigued but found it difficult to break into the sport. Finding a place to play, understanding the app-based booking systems, and securing a clinic at the right skill level proved to be challenges. It took her three months before she found the right opportunity at Ultra Padel Club, where a coach rated her and helped her enter the competitive scene.
Once she started, she was hooked. The social, strategic, and competitive aspects of padel made it addictive, and she quickly realized there was a gap in the sport for women looking for competitive games and structured communities.
6LoveSports: Creating a Women’s Padel League
Recognizing the lack of organized opportunities for women, Andi took matters into her own hands. She founded 6LoveSports, a community-driven initiative designed to bring together female players at various skill levels. The mission? To elevate, empower, and develop women’s padel.
How it Works:
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Andi created a WhatsApp group to connect female players and help them find games at their level.
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She launched the Women’s Padel League, structured with four teams featuring different skill divisions: advanced, high intermediate, and intermediate.
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The league runs for six weeks, with weekly matches and a final championship event.
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Players earn points based on match wins, creating a fun yet competitive atmosphere.
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The league is more than just competition—it’s a social event featuring vendors, fashion shows, and networking opportunities.
Today, the league has over 140 active players, with more women wanting to join every day.
Expanding the Women’s Padel Movement
Andi envisions 6LoveSports expanding beyond Miami to major padel hubs across the U.S.. The goal is to create a national Women’s Padel League, fostering a sense of community, competition, and accessibility.
Future Plans Include:
✅ Expanding the league to the West Coast and Midwest
✅ Organizing more tournaments, including USPA-sanctioned events
✅ Introducing high school tennis players to padel to create a feeder system for future talent
✅ Developing partnerships with clubs, sponsors, and brands to make padel more accessible to women of all skill levels
The Business Side of 6LoveSports
While the first league was free to join, Andi is now structuring membership fees and sponsorships to sustain and grow the initiative. The business model includes:
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League membership fees to cover court costs and operations
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Sponsorships from brands looking to target a highly engaged community
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Tournaments & clinics to help players improve their game
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Exclusive partnerships with padel clubs and retailers
With over 55,000 organic views on Instagram in just 30 days, 6LoveSports is proving that women’s padel is on the rise, and brands are taking notice.
Final Thoughts: Why Women’s Padel Matters
As Andi shared in the interview, women’s padel is an untapped market with huge growth potential. Women fill the courts morning, midday, and afternoon, making them key players in the expansion of the sport. But to truly elevate women’s padel, there needs to be more organized opportunities, better accessibility, and stronger community support.
"Strong women lift each other up," Andi says.
Through 6LoveSports, she’s not just building a padel league—she’s creating a movement.
Join the Movement!
If you're a female padel player looking to get involved, or a brand interested in sponsoring this growing community, visit 6LoveSports.com or follow @6LoveSports on Instagram.