Could you start by giving us a short introduction about yourself?

I’m Alessandro Ossola, a Paralympic athlete from Milan, Italy, and the founder of the Inclusive Padel Tour. I competed in the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as a track and field athlete. However, after Tokyo, I started shifting my focus toward padel. Since my motorcycle accident in 2015, I’ve always wanted to stay involved in sports. Athletics is an incredible sport, but it’s a constant challenge—physically and mentally. I needed something alongside it, something that felt fun yet competitive. That’s where padel came in. From that moment on, I dedicated myself to creating the Inclusive Padel Tour.

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What was the first introduction you’ve got to Padel? 

"My first introduction to padel came after my accident. Like many other Italians, I started playing during the COVID19 pandemic in 2021. At first, it was just for fun, a way to stay active and social. But over time, I realized padel had so much more to offer and I started taking it more seriously."

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Why do you like playing Padel?

What makes padel special is its inclusivity. It’s a sport that welcomes players of all abilities. You can play with someone who is stronger than you, someone with different physical capabilities, and it still works. Unlike many other sports—like tennis or rugby—where you have to stand, padel allows you to play both standing and sitting. That completely changes the game and makes it accessible to everyone. This inclusivity is what makes padel so unique and important.

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How do you structure your training routine to improve both your physical endurance and technical skills?

I try to balance my schedule between work and training. Ideally, I train one to two times per week and play two to three matches. I also focus a lot on physical conditioning. I train with a coach from Milan, who works with other professional players as well. I met him at a club called SKY, where I’m also an ambassador.

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How do you approach coaching people with a disability who are interested in start playing padel?

I’m not officially coaching yet, but through the Inclusive Padel Tour, I’m laying the groundwork to make padel more accessible. In the future, I’d love to coach people with disabilities, helping them with balance and sharing my personal experiences. More than just teaching skills, I see myself as a motivator. The mental side of the game is just as important as the technical part, and that’s where I believe I can truly make an impact.

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Could you tell us about Inclusive Padel Tour?

The Inclusive Padel Tour (IPT) is the world’s first padel tour where each team consists of one player with a disability and one without. It’s an incredible concept, and we already have some amazing players on board. But beyond competition, the most important thing is the message we’re sending.

Being invited to events like RacquetX in Miami is a huge honor. Just three years ago, in 2022, I could never have imagined standing where I am today.

Looking ahead, my dream for IPT is to involve as many people with disabilities as possible and create a true community, where everyone—regardless of ability—can play together. I believe this could even evolve into a Paralympic sport in the future. We’re building something bigger than just a tournament; we’re building a movement.

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Could you start by giving us a short introduction about yourself?
I’m Eric González  from Barcelona, Spain. I was born with a disability in my left leg, but that never stopped me from playing sports. In fact, I’ve been active in sports my whole life—whether it was football, tennis, or padel. My passion for sports led me to pursue a degree in Sports Science at university. Today, I’m a proud padel player competing in the Inclusive Padel Tour.

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Since when did you start competing and why?‍

I started competing in padel ten years ago, but in the beginning, it was just for fun. I played as an amateur, without taking it too seriously. I didn’t even enter competitions at first. But as time went on, my love for the game grew, and I wanted to challenge myself more.

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What do you eat and drink to maintain your fitness and overall health as a padel player?

For me, the most important thing is eating healthy—that’s the foundation of everything. I also train in the gym every day and play padel two to three times a week. But at the end of the day, I play for fun—with friends, in a relaxed atmosphere, and most importantly, for myself.

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What specific areas of your game are you currently focusing on improving, and what steps are you taking to get better?

"Right now, my main focus is improving my smash—it’s not quite where I want it to be yet. I’m also working on being more consistent during matches and avoiding unnecessary errors. And of course, I always aim to keep improving over time."

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How do you mentally and physically prepare yourself before a padel match?

"I don’t really have a strict routine, to be honest. What works best for me is simply staying calm, focused, and enjoying the game."

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How do you stay focused and motivated when you're down in a match, or when things aren’t going your way?

"My approach is to stay in the moment—point by point. It’s easy to get caught up thinking about what just happened or worrying about the next point, but staying fully present is crucial. That mindset helps me refocus and keep pushing forward."

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What is the best tip or advice would you give to a player who is:

A beginner: "Enjoy the game! Find a group op players at a similar level to practice with, but also challenge yourself by playing with better players - that's how you improve the fastest."

A intermediate player: " My advice is to start competing in tournaments and leagues. Playing under pressure will sharpen your focus and help you level up your game."

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