From Asthma to Ambassador
In a recent episode of the Joy of Padel Podcast, host Minter Dial sat down with British Padel sensation Nikhil Mohindra. The conversation revealed an inspiring journey of how a young man with severe asthma transformed himself into a top 400 world-ranked player and the new face of Padel India. What makes this story particularly interesting is how Mohindra’s initial inability to play football due to his health condition led him to discover a sport he’d eventually represent Great Britain in.
At first glance, Mohindra seems an unlikely sports star. “I can’t hit a tennis ball,” he admits with disarming honesty. “I’m not very talented as a racket sports or an athlete at all.” Yet this self-proclaimed non-athlete has risen to become one of Britain’s top Padel players, competing in world championships and training with some of the sport’s greatest names.
The path to professional Padel wasn’t straightforward for Mohindra. After trying the sport at age 12 at David Lloyd Chigwell, he left it for five years. It wasn’t until he was 17, after leaving school to work in his family’s Asian clothing business, that something clicked. “I don’t know what happened,” he recalls, “but I absolutely fell in love with it.”
This love affair with Padel led to a dramatic career shift. Mohindra made the bold decision to leave the family’s successful clothing business to pursue Padel professionally. While he still manages some property work with his father, his days are now structured around an intense training regime that starts at 5:15 AM.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Mohindra’s story is his unique playing style. In a sport where power often dominates, particularly on the left side where he plays, Mohindra has developed a different approach. His teammates nicknamed him “the octopus” – a reference to his quick movements and wide reach at the net, despite lacking the powerful shots many associate with professional Padel.
The story takes an even more interesting turn with Mohindra’s recent appointment as ambassador for Padel India. Under the leadership of CEO Alan Healy, Padel India has ambitious plans to transform India into a Padel powerhouse. The numbers are staggering: from just 10 courts last year to 115 currently, with plans for 500 by year’s end and 15,000 by the decade’s close. With India’s 70 million racket sports players (more than the entire UK population), the potential for growth is enormous.
However, the most compelling aspect of Mohindra’s journey is his battle with asthma. Rather than letting it limit him, he’s developed specific routines and breathing exercises to manage his condition during matches. Interestingly, he notes that his asthma affects him differently depending on the climate – struggling more in colder countries like Lithuania and Sweden while thriving in warmer locations like Qatar and Dubai.
Beyond the court, Mohindra’s Padel journey has brought him into contact with sports legends. He casually mentions playing with World Cup-winning cricketer Jos Buttler and football icon John Terry, describing these experiences with a mix of awe and humility that characterizes his approach to the sport.
The most valuable lesson Padel has taught Mohindra extends far beyond the court. In our rushed, modern world, he’s learned to slow down and be present in the moment. “Padel helps me a lot in that aspect where it’s not rush, rush, rush,” he reflects. “Relax, understand the point, understand what you’ve done, take your time and get ready to go again.”
For those curious about this rapidly growing sport and how a young man with asthma became one of its rising stars, the full podcast episode offers even more insights into Mohindra’s remarkable journey. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes our greatest limitations can lead us to our greatest passions.
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