Padel is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Typically pronounced “paddle”, and sometimes “PA-del”, at Ascenta we say paddle.
We all play – as often as life and work allow.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, padel could be a great choice: it’s easy to pick up, very social, and because games are shorter, it can be more accessible if you’re just starting out on your fitness journey.
A brief history and explanation of padel
Originating in Mexico in 1969, the racket sport didn’t reach Singapore until 2014, via a court at the Swiss Club.
A little over a decade later, its popularity in Singapore mirrors that seen all over the world. Now played in more than 90 countries by over 25 million people, the sport’s trajectory is impressive.
Padel is a clever hybrid of tennis and squash. Played in games and sets (best of three sets), a match can last around an hour.
While scoring is similar to tennis, padel courts are smaller and enclosed, and as with squash, the walls are used strategically during play. Serves are underhand, and the ball must bounce once before being returned.
Finally, padel rackets are solid and stringless; while some are designed with holes, others are more like large table tennis or pickleball bats.
Lesson complete.
Some say padel is the new golf for wealthy people
A lifestyle as much as a sport, in Singapore, padel is particularly popular among high net worth individuals.
With an ever-increasing number of clubs and courts to choose from, even The Four Seasons Hotel is getting in on the game. Late last year, the hotel opened a revamped area, with the perfect trio of a padel court, a tennis court, and a pickleball court.
The padel court is located directly beside the main entrance – so if you’re keen to show off your skills, it’s definitely the place to be seen.
5 financial planning lessons from the padel court
There are some striking similarities between the world’s fastest-growing sport and sound financial planning.
1. Partnership and trust
Because padel is played in pairs, success hinges on teamwork, communication, and trust.
Partnerships work when both players understand their roles and support each other throughout the match. When one player moves forward to attack, the other covers the space behind. When a rally becomes difficult, partners rely on each other to stay composed and reset the point.
Financial planning works in much the same way. A trusted financial planner acts as your partner over the long term – helping you think through decisions, providing perspective during uncertain times, and ensuring that your strategy stays aligned with your goals as life evolves.
2. Consistency wins
Just as padel requires you to keep a steady pace and maintain control over every rally, good financial planning is about staying consistent in working towards your goals.
Winning points rarely comes from a single spectacular shot – more often, it’s the result of patient rallies, careful placement, and avoiding unnecessary mistakes.
Likewise, when growing your wealth, long-term success rarely comes from chasing the next big investment idea. Instead, it’s about consistently saving, investing with discipline, and allowing compounding to do its work over time.
Small, steady decisions repeated over many years often have a far greater impact than occasional moments of brilliance – whether on the court or in your portfolio.
3. Position matters
When you’re playing padel, positioning is everything. The best players don’t exhaust themselves by constantly running to meet the ball. Rather, they work to anticipate the next shot and place themselves in the right position early – giving them more options and a better chance of winning the point.
Financial planning is similar. Structuring your finances correctly – through the right mix of investments, tax-efficient structures, and readily available cash – helps put you in a stronger position to respond to opportunities and challenges. Having a bespoke financial plan, aligned to your circumstances and goals, means you’re less likely to feel rushed into decisions and better prepared for whatever comes next.
4. Mindset matters
There’s no denying that a padel match can be both fast and frustrating.
A lucky deflection off the glass or an unexpected bounce can quickly change the course of the game. The best players are usually those who keep their cool. Staying calm, adapting quickly, and focusing on the next point can be far more successful than brooding about the last mistake.
Investing requires a similar mindset. Markets move up and down, and reacting emotionally to short-term volatility can derail even the best-laid financial plans.
Whether you’re on or off the court, maintaining a disciplined, long-term perspective helps you stay focused on the endgame, rather than allowing yourself to be distracted by every twist and turn.
5. You don’t need to win every point
As a beginner, it’s tempting to always go for the big smash (which is huge fun in the moment!). When it works, it feels great, but most points come from consistency and smart placement.
The same philosophy applies to investing. Successful long-term portfolios rarely rely on dramatic, high-risk bets. Instead, they focus on diversification, thoughtful asset allocation, and strategies designed to grow steadily over time.
By avoiding the need to “win” every point, a steady, long-term approach is more likely to help you achieve your future goals.
Fancy a game?
We’re not afraid of a little competition with our clients, so if you’d like to arrange a match, we’d love to meet you on the court.
