The Padel Smash Academy Podcast is back with an exciting episode featuring a powerhouse father-son duo—Rudi Kalil, President of Motorola North America and owner of Padel Clube Chicago, alongside his son, Alejo Kalil, a rising young padel player and multi-sport athlete. Hosted by Cesc and Julian, this episode dives deep into the business of padel, youth development, and the future of the sport in the USA.
Motorola’s Role in Padel Sponsorship
Rudi Kalil shares how Motorola has strategically invested in sports partnerships, making a significant impact in the padel world. From their early sponsorships in the NBA with teams like the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls, to Major League Baseball partnerships with the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs, Motorola has a strong sports sponsorship history.
Now, they have turned their focus to padel, supporting the Reserve Cup Series 2025, one of the most exclusive padel events in the USA. Rudi discusses why Motorola sees padel as a key opportunity for brand exposure and how they aim to lead the sport’s growth in the country.
The Growth of Padel Clube Chicago
As the first and only padel club in Chicago, Padel Clube is pioneering the sport’s expansion in the region. Rudi explains the challenges of developing a community around padel with limited courts and clubs in a city that could easily support 10-15 clubs. However, the momentum is growing, and the club has seen increased participation from both local players and international padel enthusiasts.
With four new padel club projects coming in 2025, Rudi predicts that 2026 will be a breakthrough year for the sport in Chicago. He also discusses the dedication required to build the sport from the ground up and how more clubs will accelerate the growth of a competitive and engaging padel community.
Developing the Next Generation of Padel Players
One of the most exciting announcements from this episode is that Padel Clube will host the first-ever FIP Promises tournament in the USA on April 18-20, 2025. This event will focus on youth development, providing young American padel players with international competition experience.
Alejo Kalil, Rudi’s son and a promising young padel athlete, shares his experiences competing in the Pan American Games and his excitement for the upcoming FIP Promises tournament. He discusses how training with adult players in Chicago has been beneficial but acknowledges the importance of competing against players his own age to refine his skills.
Alejo’s Journey & His Sponsorship with Wilson Padel
At just 13 years old, Alejo has already secured a sponsorship with Wilson Padel and is balancing multiple sports, including baseball. However, his passion for padel is undeniable. He reveals his training plans, including spring and summer training in Spain with top padel players and coaches. His goal is to continue developing his game at a high level, with the possibility of transitioning fully into padel in the near future.
Alejo also emphasizes the importance of playing both left and right sides in padel, as it allows for greater adaptability in tournaments. His strong volley and bandeja make him a promising player to watch in the coming years.
How to Improve Youth Padel Development in the USA
One of the biggest topics of discussion in this episode is the need for more funding and support for youth padel development. Rudi suggests a reallocation of prize money from professional tournaments to help fund junior programs, providing financial support for young players to travel, train, and compete internationally.
Additionally, Cesc, Julian, and Rudi discuss the importance of coaches, infrastructure, and community-building initiatives to make padel more accessible for young athletes. With proper investment, padel in the USA could catch up to powerhouse nations like Spain and Argentina.
What’s Next for Padel in the USA?
Motorola remains committed to growing the sport, with potential future sponsorships in Premier Padel Miami and other major tournaments. As padel clubs expand, more opportunities will arise for young players like Alejo to develop into world-class competitors.
This episode provides incredible insight into the business, passion, and future of padel, making it a must-listen for anyone invested in the sport’s growth in the USA.
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