What do Mexico, tennis, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Daniel Alfredsson, and the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world have in common?

The answer is PADEL.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Jorge Villa, Director of Padel at Padel & Friends Ottawa and a Director with the Padel Association of Canada, for an inspiring conversation about one of the world's fastest-growing sports.

From growing up on the tennis courts of Mexico under the guidance of his father, to coaching Canada's national padel team and helping shape the future of the sport in this country, Jorge shares an incredible story of passion, family, leadership, and community.

We discuss:

🎾 How padel was invented in Mexico—and why it's exploding worldwide.

🏆 What makes padel different from tennis, pickleball and squash.

🇨🇦 How Canada is developing elite players, coaches and a national pathway.

👨‍👦 The remarkable family legacy behind Jorge's coaching career.

🏟️ Why Padel & Friends Ottawa is focused on building community—not just courts.

🌎 The future of padel in Canada and why this sport may only be getting started.

Whether you're a tennis player, pickleball player, squash player—or you've never picked up a racquet—this conversation will give you a fascinating look at a sport that is changing the racquet sports landscape around the world.

👇 Have you tried padel yet?

If so, tell us where you played and what surprised you most!

🎾 Learn more about Padel & Friends Ottawa

https://padelandfriends.com/

🇨🇦 Padel Association of Canada

https://padelcanada.ca/

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, Comment and Share. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations with the people shaping racquet sports across Canada and beyond.

#Padel #PadelCanada #PadelAndFriends #PadelAssociationOfCanada #JorgeVilla #KitchenConversations #RacquetSports #Tennis #Pickleball #Squash #SportsCommunity #Ottawa #Canada #SportsPodcast #GrowingTheGame #PlayPadel #PadelLife #CanadianSports

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.