The current USPA
The United States Padel Association (USPA) is the national governing body for the sport of Padel in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of Padel at every level - from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. The USPA is the only Padel Association in the USA recognized by the International Padel Federation (FIP) and the American Padel Federation (APF). A not-for-profit organization, governed by a volunteer president and board of directors serving the needs of players and clubs in the USA. The USPA’s mission aims to increase exposure and participation in the USA as well as to support current and upcoming facilities to become more successful in their Padel journey. It works to raise standards of Padel and encourage investments within the Padel Industry nationwide while creating more and more value for players and fans by hosting some major international competitions and supporting the USA National Teams in all categories and invests 100% of its revenues towards developing and growing the game. The USPA sanctions over 30 tournaments throughout the U.S. and selects the national teams for various international competitions.
The history of Padel in the USA
Padel was first introduced to the United States in 1993 by Ed Thompson and Felipe Arnold in Houston, Texas at the renowned Houstonian Hotel Club and Spa. They were proud to have the very first ever padel court constructed in the country.
Felipe being a native of Argentina where padel made its initial successful debut was impressed with the growth of the sport in Argentina in just a few short years which inspired him to bring it to the United States. One of the founders first goals was to form the very first ever men's US padel team. The first men's padel team was formed in 1993 by choosing six of the most elite tennis players in the Houston area.
The first men selected for the U.S. Team where: Mike May, Scott Read, Matt Berry, Brian Poynter, Ross Persons and Peter Farrel. Mike May the team captain at the time eventually became the first president of the United States Padel Association in 1998 while continually playing professional padel as well. The USPA has to date had five presidents, these are Mike May, Pilar Graham, Sergio Ortiz, Marcos Del Pilar and Martin Sweeney. In March of 2022 the USPA produced the Senior World Championship's, this was the first ever international padel championship in the USA and one of the most attended amateur Padel events in the world.
