In Mamaia, between the sea and Lake Siutghiol, a new chapter is being written in the world of racket sports. At Padel Club Constanța, the sports base located in the “La Butoaie” area (B-dul Mamaia no. 505A), the “Black Sea Padel Cup” is currently taking place, a unique competition that brings to the fore a sport that is still young in Romania, but with huge potential: padel. Combining the dynamism of tennis with the accessibility of squash, padel is starting to gain more and more followers, and the competition at Padel Club Constanța promises not only an exceptional sporting spectacle, but also a memorable experience, in a sport that has already formed a large community.
Bringing this spectacular and accessible sport to the seaside is thanks to former Italian tennis player Simone Cecchini, a certified instructor of the Italian Tennis Federation (FIT) and the International Padel Federation (FIP), with extensive experience in sports management and event organization.
“Padel is not a new sport, it was invented by a businessman from Mexico, then it grew in popularity in Spain, Argentina, then Italy and throughout Europe. In Romania we are at the beginning, compared to other countries. I had been thinking for about three or four years to bring the first padel courts to Romania, I waited for a better moment, and last year I opened the first padel club with two courts, here in Mamaia.
I saw that people were happy, that there was demand, and I opened the third court. I am a sports lover, I played tennis, I was the Italian junior champion, I had opened a larger padel and tennis club in Italy and I thought it was the right time to bring this beautiful and dynamic sport to Romania”, Simone Cecchini, manager of Padel Club, told CTnews Constanta.
Padel was invented in Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, a businessman who adapted a small tennis court in his yard, surrounding it with walls to prevent the ball from going out. At first, it was very successful in Argentina and Spain (countries that dominate major world competitions), becoming a social phenomenon. In recent decades, padel has expanded to Europe, and currently there is an international initiative group that is trying to promote this sport as an Olympic discipline for the 2028 edition in Los Angeles. It is an ideal sport for all ages, which emphasizes fun, exercise and socialization — these attributes probably representing the key to its international success, given that, in the world, there are approximately 10 million practitioners.
“Many came out of curiosity, they like it and come back, it’s an easy sport, easier than tennis. You don’t need to hit the ball with force, the hitting technique doesn’t have to be perfect, like in tennis. The ball stays in the perimeter, the secret is to move and be in a good mood. Padel is accessible to everyone — from children to women and older people,” explains Simone Cecchini.
Padel is usually played in doubles (teams of two), on a smaller court than tennis, surrounded by glass walls that are part of the game, the ball can bounce off them, just like in squash. The rackets are smaller, without strings, made of composite materials, with small holes for aerodynamics. The balls are similar to tennis ones, but less pressurized. The game emphasizes placement, reflexes and coordination between partners, with strength being secondary.
“I first played about two or three years ago, in Spain, after which I discovered the courts at Padel Club Constanța and, since then, I’ve been coming here almost every night. We’re a group of about 16 friends, we get together and play,” Loredana, one of the practitioners of this sport and participant in the “Black Sea Padel Cup”, told us. From her point of view, padel means less strength and physical training, and more tactical intelligence, which is why it is open to practitioners of any age. “Unlike tennis, it’s an easier sport, meaning everyone can play it. I brought my little one, she’s four years old, she also played tennis, but she didn’t like it as much as she liked padel.”
The “Black Sea Padel Cup” is in its second edition, and the large number of registered participants pleases the organizers and suggests that padel can become a “sticky” sport for Romanians.
“The tournament is organized by Sportya, a platform that initially organized tennis tournaments for amateurs, and now also padel tournaments. The weather is beautiful, the world needs such competitions and I am really happy for the success of the participation. I did not expect to have so many registered practitioners, who came with pleasure and a desire to have fun.
Of course, we have partners who support us in the organization and I would like to thank them: Apa Minerală Bucovina – which provides water for the participants, Taste of the Wild – distributor of dog and cat food, Exclusiv Auto – one of the most important car dealers in Constanța, as well as hangOFF – our friends who provide us with energy drinks for the participants”, said Simone Cecchini, the tournament director.
Padel Club Constanța does not only mean padel, but also tennis, but also the opportunity to spend pleasant and relaxing time on the shores of Lake Siutghiol.
“We have three padel courts and three tennis courts, and lovers of these sports are always welcome. Reservations can be made by phone or WhatsApp, and for padel we also have the Playtomic application, where reservations can be made directly, online. We also have a terrace where practitioners and companions can stop for a juice or an aperitif, a relaxation area with sun loungers, right on the lake shore, where you can admire the sunset”, told us Adriana Cecchini, marketing and event organization manager.
Padel Club Constanța is an ideal place for active leisure, even for those who have never played tennis or padel before, the club providing specialized coaches and instructors to those who wish. Guests also benefit from complete facilities, including changing rooms.
“All you need is comfortable sports equipment, with shoes suitable for clay or padel surfaces. Rackets and balls are not necessary, we have them and we rent them. For those who are learning padel and want to continue, we also have padel rackets available for sale”, added Adriana Cecchini.
Padel Club Constanța also offers consultancy and installation services for padel courts, adapted to the needs of clients who want to invest in this booming sport. The club has a close collaboration with Padel Corporation from Italy – one of the international leaders in the production of padel courts, recognized for quality and innovation. Together, they have launched in Romania an exclusive line of high-quality padel courts, the only ones in the world officially certified by TUV SÜD.
Thus, depending on the model chosen, but also on the quality of the synthetic turf, the safety of the glass used for the walls and the durability of the metal structure, the price of a padel court varies between 15,000 and 35,000 euros. Padel Club Constanța offers consultancy throughout the process, from design to construction of the sports center, always putting safety first and issuing, upon delivery, all legal compliance certifications, including the TUV SÜD certificate, so that practitioners are in complete safety. More information can be found on the official Padel Club Constanța website.
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Black Sea PADEL Cup 2025
