In my last blog for The Padel Directory, I explored a question many clubs and coaches have been asking:
Why aren’t more women entering padel tournaments?

At the time, I referenced the brilliant work Salty Padel in Exeter were doing with their women-only Americanos — events that were thriving, full, and buzzing with energy. It made me wonder whether the same appetite existed in my area. So, I decided to put it to the test.

We launched The Padel Social’s first Ladies’ Americano… and all 32 spaces sold out in 48 hours, with even more players asking to join the waiting list.

There is demand. Women do want to compete.
But the format — and the environment — matter more than we think.

So why are so many women happy to enter this kind of event, but still hesitant to join an LTA tournament?

The answer lies in what an Americano offers: fun, sociability, inclusivity and a sense of safety that allows women to step into competitive play without the pressure that traditional formats can bring.

One of the biggest barriers I discussed in my previous blog was the stress around finding a partner. An Americano removes that immediately — no politics, no awkwardness, no fear of letting someone down. You show up, you rotate, and you play with everyone in your group. It creates a leveller that feels fair, friendly and welcoming for all abilities.

Time is another factor. A one-evening Americano is predictable — you know when it starts, when it ends and that it won’t take up an entire weekend. For women juggling families, work and life admin, this clarity can be the deciding factor between entering… or not entering at all.

But the real magic is the atmosphere.
The event felt alive — buzzing with laughter, music, friendly competition, fist bumps and genuine connection. The goodie bags, prizes and yes, even the Prosecco, weren’t just extras. They signalled that the event was for the players — curated with care, designed to make everyone feel part of something.

And that’s the point.

Women aren’t avoiding tournaments because they dislike competition.
They’re avoiding environments where competition comes with pressure, confusion, intimidation or fear of not being “good enough yet”.

The Americano format offers the opposite:
a structured, social, confidence-building entry into competitive padel.

Events like this won’t replace LTA pathways — but they can absolutely feed into them. For some women, these fun, friendly tournaments will be their comfort zone, and that’s totally fine. For others, they’ll be the stepping stone that gives them the confidence to try a mixed event, a graded tournament or even a national competition down the line.

If we want more women playing padel — and more women competing — we need more events that meet them where they are, not where we expect them to be.

The success of this Americano hasn’t just taught me what women want.
It’s shown me what women deserve:
welcoming, well-run, community-driven events that make padel feel like a place they belong.

And if we keep creating spaces like this, the participation will follow.
In fact, it already is.

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