The start of one tennis club’s huge overhaul in Didsbury was launched by Wimbledon star Liam Broady who cut the ribbon for their new padel courts.
Northern Lawn Tennis and Squash Club hosted a mixed padel tournament to mark the occasion which, unsurprisingly, was won by Stockport’s own Broady and his partner Eden Silva. The Northern is one of the oldest tennis clubs in the UK, being founded in 1881, and the new padel courts mark the next step in their journey, with nine brand-new courts soon to join them.
Padel is a rapid growing sport in the UK which is a hybrid of tennis, squash and handball.
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Broady, who played at the West Didsbury club in his youth, is one of many high profile tennis stars to visit the club, with John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Andy Murray all in attendance at the Palatine Road site over the years. Britain’s number 5 was the first top player to experience the new padel courts, claiming it was the best he’d ever played.
Although it was not quite a grand slam title, the Wimbledon boys doubles champion of 2010 was happy to win the friendly tournament on Saturday against club members.
“I’ve been coming to the Northern since I was 10, they offered me a free membership as I was a good junior, which helped a lot at the time,” Broady said. “My dad couldn’t afford a membership at a big club, and they (the Northern) have supported me all the way through.
“Now to come back and see the development of the new padel courts is brilliant. It doesn’t feel like Didsbury, if it wasn’t minus temperatures it would feel like we’re in Spain, it’s amazing.
“I thought it would look a lot different with all the changes but it still has the Northern’s spirit with grass courts still in there. Padel is a great sport and it’s a lot easier to get into than tennis, so I think it’s a great thing they’ve brought these in.”
After getting approval from Manchester Council’s planning committee earlier this year, the club has made quick progress to get the new facilities implemented. Three additional courts have already been implemented and six more are due to undergo resurfacing over the coming months.
Jonathan Kinsella, managing director of the Northern, said: “During the pandemic tennis was one of the first sports to return and after taking advantage of this, as well as a number of other changes, the club managed to bounce back post-pandemic to record levels of membership. Now these members, as well people in the wider community, will get a chance to experience first-hand the fastest growing sport in the world that is loved by an array of the rich and famous such as David Beckham, Roger Federer and Jurgen Klopp.
“Not only will this provide this sport to the local community, but the development will also aid in safeguarding the future of this historic club that established itself only two years after Wimbledon. This will allow existing relationships with the club such as The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University develop, further integrating a collaborative array of all ages and backgrounds to unite over the hottest new sport activity in Manchester.”
In addition to its 23 tennis courts, the Northern also boasts six squash courts, a gym, fitness studio, lounge bar and eatery. Non-members can book the padel courts online on their website or by calling in.
