British No.1 Aimee Gibson inspiring the next generation of women and girls in padel
As Great Britain's best padel player, Aimee Gibson is an ambassador for the sport and a role model for women and girls making their way up the rankings, as well as those picking up a racket for the first time.
Gibson was an LTA top-15 ranked tennis player and coach who transitioned to padel after discovering the sport whilst coaching in Dubai. Like so many of us, she well and truly caught the padel bug.
After moving back to the UK, she won a string of LTA British Padel Tour Grade 1 events, before turning professional in the summer of 2023. Her ascent since then has been rapid, fuelled by an insatiable desire to improve and a relentless work ethic.
Just two and a half years after going full-time, the left-hander from Essex has now broken into the world's top 100, won nine titles on the FIP world circuit and was crowned the inaugural British national champion last December playing alongside British No.2 Catherine Rose.
Gibson's journey into padel shows that those transitioning from tennis (or other sports) can make rapid strides within padel's glass walls. But as an experienced coach of beginners, the 34-year-old also knows all about padel's capacity to engage those with no sporting background at all, especially women.
"Sport can be quite daunting for women and girls, but what's so nice about padel is that you always have a team-mate beside you," said Gibson. "It's very social so you needn't be afraid or intimidated about being on the court.
I'm just trying to do my best and show other women and girls that with hard work and doing something you enjoy, you can achieve anything.
"You definitely don't have to have racket experience to play padel. When I was coaching padel in Dubai and the UK, I taught women who had never held a racket before and by the end of the session they were picking up how to use the glass. It's such a nice feeling as a coach when you see that rapid improvement and enjoyment on the court.
"There's really nothing stopping you booking a court with friends or family. You can enjoy rallies with no prior experience. It's a sport you can pick up and see improvement quite quickly.
"Even when you get to the stage of booking matches, it's a very social experience. For the younger generation it's a great sport for your confidence, to be around other females, or even playing against men. It's a lovely team environment."
When padel first prized Gibson's attentions away from the tennis court, she began learning the subtleties and nuances of a playing environment enclosed by four walls. Adapting to the glass is part of the fun for any novice player and Aimee advocates seeking out a coach to accelerate the learning process.
"I would advise anyone starting in padel to have a few coaching sessions at your club because that will really grow your confidence.
"They will be able to feed you the ball exactly where you need it to practise off the glass. That's what I did when I transitioned from tennis, I had a lot of lessons where the coach threw the ball and I crafted the technique of hitting it off the glass. Start slow and you'll see big improvements quite quickly.
"Even now looking back at old videos of me three years ago playing in Dubai, I look like a tennis player. I had a big swing and was trying to hit the ball really hard. Looking back on that it makes me realise how far I've come."
Gibson's self-confidence and single-mindedness, built up partially from years of solo travel and competition on the pro tennis circuit, enables her to cope with the pressures of being British No.1 and having all eyes on her.
Growing up, Gibson idolised 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Jessica Ennis and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, both British athletes who achieved through demonstrable grind and determination.
Gibson embodies those same values. She hopes other players, particularly females, can gain inspiration and strength from her remarkable ascent in a sport she only started out in five years ago.
"Playing pro tennis all those years has made me into the person that I am. It's quite a lonely sport, travelling on my own, playing singles, but I built up a lot of confidence within myself on court.
"That shows in my padel career. That hasn't come quickly, it's taken years for me to feel like that.
"I'm just trying to do my best and show other women and girls that with hard work and doing something you enjoy, you can achieve anything."
Inspired by Aimee Gibson?
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