In this episode, Cesc and Julian sit down with Kari Gunnarsson, the visionary CEO and former top-100 badminton pro behind Clutch, the most innovative AI camera system built specifically for Padel. Kari shares the incredible journey from building AI tools for elite badminton coaching during the COVID lockdowns to launching Clutch across 15+ countries.

Discover how Clutch is revolutionizing padel with:

• Instant match highlights and performance insights
• Real-time AI analytics for coaches and players
• Seamless QR code court activation and mobile access
• Affordable pricing for clubs and players
• Built-in tools for training, social media sharing, and even automated ratings

Kari breaks down how the tech works, what sets Clutch apart from other smart cameras, and why AI-powered video is becoming as essential as floodlights in the modern padel club.

Whether you’re a player, coach, club owner, or just obsessed with innovation in padel, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and a glimpse into the future of the sport.

🎧 Available now on all podcast platforms.
📲 Brought to you by Padel Smash Academy.

In this inspiring episode of the Padel Smash Academy Podcast, Cesc & Julian sit down with a true Padel pioneer and rising star: Adrian Reino and his daughter Ornella Beltramino, the current #1 ranked female junior player in the United States.

Adrian shares the remarkable journey of opening the first-ever padel club in the U.S. back in 2009, building a community before anyone knew what Padel was. From putting up nets on empty courts and advertising in newspapers to shaping the roots of the sport in Florida—his story is one of passion, sacrifice, and vision.

Then, we meet 11-year-old Ornella Beltramino, who is quickly making waves in the international Padel scene. Training in Spain with one of the world’s top academies and mentored by none other than Paula Josemaría, Ornella opens up about:

• Her transition from tennis to padel
• Competing in tournaments with 800+ teams
• Representing the U.S. in the upcoming Junior World Cup
• Her daily routine, sacrifices, and big dream: becoming #1 in the world

It’s a powerful conversation about family, legacy, and chasing greatness—this is a must-listen for every padel fan.

🎧 Tune in now and remember the name: Ornella Beltramino.

In this follow-up interview, Cesc and Julian sit down once again with Nalle Grinda, co-founder and Chief of Padel at Padel X, to explore how one of the most ambitious padel projects in the U.S. has grown since our last chat — when construction had just wrapped.

From hosting the largest tournaments in U.S. padel history to training the next generation of American talent, Padel X has become a cornerstone in the sport’s development across South Florida and beyond.

In this episode, Nalle shares:

• What’s worked (and what’s surprised him) in year one of Padel X
• Why Padel X focused on player experience first — from turf to lighting
• Why nurturing youth talent is key to preparing the U.S. for the Olympic stage
• The future of padel in America and the bold expansion plans ahead
• Whether you're a club owner, player, or padel investor, this episode is a masterclass in building something truly impactful.

🎙️ Listen now and find out why Nalle says the sky's the limit for padel in the USA.

In this episode of the Padel Smash Academy Podcast, Cesc sits down with Sabah Alsabah, the founder of Padel Up LLC, a standout club located in Sterling, Virginia. Sabah shares his journey into the world of padel, his entrepreneurial background, and what it really took to launch a successful padel club in the U.S.

From navigating the early stages of launching the business to scaling up his membership base, Sabah opens up about the strategies that worked, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned along the way. They also dive into the club’s pricing structure, services, and what makes Padel Up a unique experience for players of all levels.

🎥 Don't miss the full video walkthrough of the Padel Up club, now live on the Padel Smash Academy YouTube Channel — a perfect companion to this inspiring conversation.

Get ready to elevate your padel game! In this exciting new episode of the Padel Smash Academy podcast, hosts Cesc and Julian sit down with Jerry Tafich, the representative for the innovative padel brand OXDOG in the USA and Mexican markets.

OXDOG isn't just another brand; they're a team of passionate engineers, designers, and sports professionals with a decade-long history of revolutionizing sports equipment. Starting with groundbreaking materials in floorball (indoor hockey), where they became industry leaders, OXDOG has now set its sights on conquering the padel world. They're confident they've developed the best rackets on the planet, and for good reason:

• Uncompromising Quality: OXDOG meticulously selects durable, high-performance materials for their rackets.
• Explosive Ball Response: Experience direct energy transfer for powerful and precise shots.
• Vibration-Free Feel: Patented technologies ensure a comfortable and controlled game.
• Tailored Performance: A wide range of stiffness, balance, and characteristics cater to every player's style.
• Stunning Designs: Each racket showcases a thoughtful and eye-catching aesthetic.

OXDOG aims to be more than a brand; they're building a community where players feel they belong, offering top-tier rackets, apparel, bags, and accessories.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Jerry's journey into the padel market and how he became involved with OXDOG.
• His firsthand experience testing OXDOG rackets and what made them stand out.
• The fascinating story behind OXDOG's transition from floorball to padel, leveraging their expertise in carbon fiber technology.
• An overview of OXDOG's racket collections: Ultimate, Hyper, and Pure, each designed with specific player needs in mind.
• Insights into the quality and design philosophy behind OXDOG products, including their apparel and bags.
• The brand's commitment to research and development, with a perfectionist approach to creating top-tier equipment.
• OXDOG's expansion into the US market and their sponsorship of professional players like the twins brothers, Pablo and Javi Barona, Marta Morga, and more.

Make sure to check out the review of OxDog rackets on our YouTube

In this episode of the Padel Smash Academy podcast, Julian and Cesc sit down with the visionary team behind Lusotendas Structures—a benchmark brand in the design and construction of sports canopies and structures. From their humble beginnings as a family business crafting awnings, to becoming the leading provider of padel court roofing in Portugal and a growing force internationally, the Lusotendas team shares their journey of generational craftsmanship, innovation, and global expansion. Tune in to learn how their commitment to quality, design, and full-service customer care has made them a trusted name in the padel and tennis world.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Padel Smash Academy! Today, Cesc and Julian sit down with Carlos Carijo, CEO of the Asia Pacific Padel Tour and a dynamic entrepreneur driving the explosive growth of padel across Asia. Connecting all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Carlos dives deep into how he built a thriving padel ecosystem across more than a dozen countries, his innovative approach to tournaments mixing amateurs and pros, and the challenges and successes he's faced in markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Discover why Jakarta alone surpasses the U.S. in padel court numbers, how India is emerging as a potential powerhouse, and Carlos's ambitious vision for the future. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a padel enthusiast, or just curious about how this sport is rapidly capturing hearts across Asia, this conversation is full of insights, data, and inspiration.

Tune in to see how Carlos and his team are leveling up padel on the world's largest continent!

In this episode of our RacquetX 2025 Interview Series, Cesc and Julian sit down with Gabriel Perez-Krieb—Executive Chairman of Chosen Foods, Chairman of Taktika Padel, and owner of the San Diego Stingrays Padel team.

Gabriel shares his vision for growing the sport of Padel in the USA, highlighting the importance of collaboration over competition. With years of executive leadership under his belt—from serving as Mexico's Trade Commissioner for the U.S. to running companies in tech and consumer goods—Gabriel brings a unique business and global perspective to the sport.

He dives into the current state of Padel investment in the U.S., how he's leveraging his experience to build scalable Padel ventures, and why he believes there’s room for everyone to succeed in this space. If you're interested in the business of Padel, this episode is a must-watch.