Kotomi Ozawa: Taking on the World with Padel

2025/06/26

I first experienced Padel when a tennis senior invited me while I was in university. That encounter changed my life significantly. In Spain, where Padel is popular, it is the second most popular sport after soccer, with over 30 million players worldwide. The court is about half the size of a tennis court, and the depth of the sport—using a 360-degree three-dimensional space surrounded by glass with diverse tactics—is unforgettable once experienced. Since it is a doubles sport, communication with your partner is key. Because players are close to each other and strategy is not determined solely by speed or power, people of all ages and genders can enjoy it.

I started training seriously around the age of 21. It took two to three hours round-trip to get to the court, and I spent my travel time studying; it feels nostalgic, like my high school days. Although my practice time was limited, fortunately, my competitive results improved steadily, and I became the youngest player to win the national championship. The experience of visiting Spain to train with the mindset of "Let's go beyond Japan to the home of Padel!" further deepened my skill level and perspective on the sport. In Spain, it was common to see children gathering to socialize after school or people playing Padel while enjoying cafes and bars. I was captivated by this social sport that anyone can enjoy and interact through, and I began to feel strongly that "I wish I had discovered it sooner. I want to spread Padel in Japan and see it develop into a sport enjoyed by everyone from children to adults." At the same time, as a player, I aimed to be the first from Asia to participate in the highest-level international tournaments and reach the Top 50. In 2024, I decided to become the first Asian woman to compete as a professional player.

For six months last year, I was based in Europe and trained alongside professionals. Days were filled with work, practice, and tours in a foreign country with a different language and culture. I also faced the difficulty of managing my livelihood in a foreign land while living as an athlete in a minor sport. At the time, there was no precedent for an Asian woman competing in international tournaments, so I was often met with curiosity—"From Asia?"—and it was not easy to enter a high-level competitive environment or blend into the local community. However, gaining match experience in the sport's heartland and having my abilities recognized by top-ranked players and coaches brought me joy and a renewed sense of the excitement of taking on the world. As a player, I want to continue challenging myself to break through barriers that no one from Asia has yet overcome. Through my connection with the world, I hope to engage in promotional activities that foster international exchange—combining "sports" that everyone can enjoy with health and global cultures—and expand a warm circle of community.

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.