Racket about racquets

IT may be a big hit with A-listers and world leaders but padel is making plenty of enemies among people who live near the courts.

- EMMELINE SAUNDERS

The louder and simpler version of tennis is one of the world's fastest-growing sports with fans like Prince William and David Beckham.

But the noise can be a right racket for those who live near clubs.

Players use solid fibreglass racquets on courts enclosed with reinforced glass panels and metal fences.

And residents complain the sound of impacts cuts through the air like gunshots - not to mention the shouting and swearing from frustrated players.

In one upmarket suburb the issue has led to a legal dispute between a sports club and its neighbours that may even end up in the Supreme Court.

The Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club has been going for well over 100 years but installed its three padel courts in 2020 just as the sport really took off.

HIDDEN

The floodlit courts are in use from 8am with opening hours recently extended until 10 pm despite objections from locals.

The city council recently served a noise abatement notice on the club after five households complained.

Now the club wants three more padel courts and those living next to the ground are crying foul.

One, Peter Russell, 75, is threatening to take his objection to the Supreme Court if the plans go ahead.

"Life would not be tolerable in this house," he says, adding that its value would plummet if more courts are installed there.

"Tennis has never caused this level of opposition. We can live with tennis, it's nothing like padel."