10(ish) Questions With…
Nico Clerc

WORDS
Padel Magazine

ILLUSTRATION
Margaret Ann Rice

Tell us about your introduction to padel, when and where did you first play? I grew up playing padel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but back then it was more of a fun side thing. I was way more focused on tennis. The real addiction kicked in years later when I was living in Connecticut. The first padel club in New York opened, and I found myself driving 3 hours, 3 or 4 times a week, just to get on court. That’s when it hit me, I needed to be somewhere where padel was actually taking off. So I packed my bags and moved back to Miami to chase the dream and build a career around the sport.

You came from a tennis background. What was the hardest part about transitioning to padel? Coming from tennis, the toughest part for me was definitely getting used to the back walls. It’s such a different feel, in tennis if the ball gets past you, the point’s over. In padel, you have to rewire your brain to realize the rally’s still alive and you can actually use the wall to your advantage. That took some time to get used to.

So many people say converting tennis players, as both players and coaches, is crucial to padel’s future in America. Would you agree? For sure, bringing in tennis players helps a lot, it’s a great starting point. But to really be great at padel, you’ve got to become a true padel player, ideally starting young. There are so many parts of the game that don’t translate from tennis, especially the mental side. You can’t just rely on yourself like in singles tennis, padel is all about learning how to play as a team, and that takes time and a totally different mindset.

You’re the Head of Padel at Ultra in Miami. What does it mean to be Head of Padel at a padel club? What does your day-to-day look like? Being Head of Padel at Ultra means I pretty much live and breathe the sport every day. I handle everything from managing the coaching staff, running clinics and lessons and helping players of all levels improve their game. I’m also in charge of building the community, connecting players, setting up events and tournaments and making sure everyone’s having a great experience on and off the court.

Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of planning, coordinating court usage, managing memberships, working on partnerships, bringing in new players and staying on top of what’s happening in the padel world. No two days are the same, but that’s what makes it fun. I get to grow the sport I love, while creating a space where people can get hooked on padel just like I did.

I really enjoyed my time at Ultra. The facility is beautiful and the vibe is great. What is something that Ultra is doing better than any other club? What’s unique about it? We’re creating more than just a club, we’re building a full wellness experience. Padel is a beautiful sport that brings people together, gets you moving, and keeps you present. Ultra is where performance meets community and lifestyle.

A big goal of this magazine is to help define padel’s culture in America. How would you define American padel? American padel is still finding its identity, but that’s what makes it exciting. It’s fast, energetic and super social. People here bring a lot of passion, even if they’re newer to the game. Compared to more traditional countries like Spain or Argentina, where padel is more technical and tactical, in the U.S. it’s still very raw and athletic. The clubs here feel more lifestyle-driven too, padel mixed with music, food, fitness. It’s an experience, not just a sport.

You work a lot with the USPA. Tell us about that work and why it's important to padel’s growth in the US. The USPA is doing a great job, specially helping with junior development and growing the sport nationwide. It’s super important because we’re laying the foundation for the future of padel in the U.S., creating structure, building a pathway for young players, and making sure the sport grows the right way. The more organized we are now, the stronger padel’s future will be.

What’s one thing you’d like to see happen to turbo charge padel’s growth in the US? I think once padel makes it to the NCAA level, that’s when it’ll really take off. College sports are such a big part of the culture here, and getting padel into that system would bring massive exposure, funding, and a whole new generation of serious players. It would be a game-changer for the sport in the U.S.

When you’re competing, what’s in your bag? (Hat, shirt, shoes, racquet, any other gear you can’t live without?) hat, shirt, shoes, a couple racquets, towel, grips, elastic bands... and most importantly, tiger balm.

Tell us about your training routine and diet. Are you training off-court? Are you mindful of your diet? Tournament week is crunch time for me. I train on court 3-4 times a week and hit the gym every day. As match day gets closer, I focus more on recovery and fuel.. lots of protein and carbs to stay sharp and energized. I try to stay mindful of my diet overall, but especially during tournament weeks, it makes a big difference.

Last but not least… pre-match meal? Post-match drink? Before a match, I keep it light, nothing too heavy so I can move freely on court. During the match, it’s all about water and electrolytes to stay hydrated and sharp. Afterward, I’ll usually grab a protein shake or something to help recover. ✸

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