Aisha Alawadhi: Leading the Rise of Emirati Women in Padel

In just a few short years, padel has transformed from a fast-growing trend into one of the UAE’s most dynamic sporting movements, and athletes like Aisha Alawadhi are helping shape its future. An Emirati padel player competing at a national level, Aisha represents a new generation of women driving the sport forward both competitively and culturally.

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How did your journey into padel begin, and what was it about the sport that first drew you in? 

My journey in padel began in 2022 when I returned back home from my studies in London. I actually grew up playing tennis, and it was the first sport I truly connected with, it shaped many of my childhood memories and helped me build discipline from an early age. As I became more focused on school and university, I stepped away from the sport, mainly because I couldn’t commit to competing at the level I aspired to. After graduating, my siblings introduced me to padel, and from the very first game, I felt that same sense of joy and nostalgia return, along with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for competition that I hadn’t felt in years. What really drew me in the sport though was seeing a strong and supportive community of women already training and competing, which inspired me to take the sport seriously, and not long after, I started training and competed in my first tournament.

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Was there a moment when you realised padel wasn’t just a hobby for you, but something you wanted to pursue competitively? 

Honestly, there wasn’t a single defining moment where I decided to pursue padel competitively. Instead, it happened gradually. The more I trained and started playing tournaments, the more I noticed my level improving through the experience I was gaining. I found real motivation in seeing my own progress and understanding how much I could develop with consistency and dedication. 

What really pushed me most was being able to compete against players in the UAE that I initially looked up to and learning from those experiences. As I began entering tournaments and started achieving the results I planned for, it gave me a strong sense of belief in my own potential. It made me want to work harder, raise my standards, and see how far I could push myself competitively. 

Padel is still a growing sport, which makes the journey even more exciting. While I have personal goals to be among the top players in the UAE, I’m very aware that many talented players share the same ambitions. That healthy competition keeps me motivated, and focused on continuous improvement, while still enjoying the process and the thrill of competing.

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As an Emirati woman competing at a high level in padel, what does representation mean to you, both on and off the court? 

For me, representation means showing up authentically as myself and showing that consistent hard work and dedication can lead to progress and bring you one step closer to your goals. I believe it’s important to not only highlight the positive side of the sport through victories and achievements, but to also authentically represent the reality of my journey by showing my vulnerable side on court and sharing my setbacks and challenges, to show that the journey itself is not easy, but is one that's filled with so many lessons and personal growth. 

As an Emirati woman, I carry a strong sense of responsibility in wearing the UAE flag on my shirt and representing my country with pride by competing in national and international tournaments, helping put the UAE on the map and increase visibility for Emirati women globally. 

Lastly, I also acknowledge that I not only represent the UAE when stepping onto the court, but that I also represent the younger female generation. I hope that by showing up authentically as myself through hard work, dedication, and passion, this can in turn inspire the younger generation to feel that their opportunities are limitless, and that if they set their minds to something and work hard at it every day, they will be able to achieve it, maybe not immediately, but with time.

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Have you felt a shift in how women’s participation in sport, particularly padel, is perceived in the UAE? 

Yes, I’ve definitely felt a positive shift in how women’s participation in sport, especially padel. The number of women entering the sport is growing on a daily basis. At the club where I train, I constantly see new faces and hear stories of women trying padel for the first time and instantly falling in love with the game.  

What’s also exciting is how quickly the competitive level of women’s padel is growing in the UAE. There are more structured tournaments and new competitive categories emerging through the federation, which is playing a big role in supporting and developing the sport for female players. While there’s still room for growth, considering the sport is relatively new, the support from the UAE Padel Association and the wider community is clear in pushing the sport forward and attracting more women to the game.

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Padel has grown rapidly across the UAE in recent years. From your perspective as an athlete, what’s driving this surge in popularity? 

I think what initially made padel rapidly popular in the UAE is how naturally it brings together people from all age groups and creates a strong sense of community. It’s not just about competition, what really helped the sport grow is the social side of it. Through padel, you end up meeting people you probably wouldn’t have met otherwise, and it brings together different nationalities and cultures simply because of a shared love for the game.

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What makes padel such an accessible and appealing sport, especially for women and first-time players? 

What makes Padel so appealing is that almost anyone can pick up a racket and, after just a few training sessions, start enjoying the sport. You don’t need years of experience to feel comfortable on court, which makes it especially appealing for first-time players and for women who may be new to racket sports. 

At the same time, for women who want to take the sport seriously and start competing, the federation has created several opportunities to participate in regionally and internationally ranked tournaments, giving women a clear path to continue growing in the sport.

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What message would you share with young Emirati girls who are curious about padel or sport but may feel hesitant to start? 

Take that first step, try the sport, find your joy, and let your passion guide you. Your personal journey is uniquely yours, so don't compare it to others. Any goal you have for yourself is within reach if you set your mind to it and work hard at it every day.