A friend invited Adam van Harte to a game of padel in August last year. This year, he got a wild card entry to compete in the A1 Padel-Payspace tournament. Van Harte, who is heading abroad for three tournaments this June, spoke to Sebastian Paulus about his journey into padel.
Adam van Harte competed in his first professional padel tournament this year where he was chosen as “wild card” to play in the A1 Padel-Payspace tournament. PHOTO: Sebastian Paulus
At the start of last year, Adam van Harte knew nothing about padel, which some people describe as a blend of tennis and squash. The game is known for its fast pace, and strategic play.
“I was introduced to padel in August last year by one of my friends whom I played tennis with. He later became my doubles partner whom I played with in the finals for the A1 Padel-Payspace qualifiers,” he explains. “I am a creature of habit. I like having a routine so this new sport was out of my comfort zone. But the more exposure I got to padel, the more I was drawn to it.”
Adam, now 22, recalls his first and most cherished padel memory. “It was my very first tournament representing the Western Cape last year, and the crowd overwhelmingly supported the opposing team,” he says. “At that moment, my parents and my padel partner’s girlfriend were the only ones cheering for me.”
“Winning that match – right in front of my parents – became a defining moment in my career. Seeing their excitement, especially my father’s, meant the world to me because making them proud is always my ultimate goal,” says Adam. “I deeply cherish that experience as it symbolises the immense sacrifices my parents have made for my athletic career.”
Adam is the eldest of three siblings, and grew up in a modest, middle-class family. He says he always found solace and self-expression through sports.
“I’ve been playing tennis since the age of seven, and sports have always been an integral part of my life,” he says. “Whether it was soccer, tennis, hockey, or cricket, I immersed myself in various sports. School and athletics were the pillars of my existence.”
Family plays an integral role in Adam’s journey. Amy, his sister, speaks of their upbringing and the profound influence their family has had on their athletic pursuits.
“Adam’s commitment and work ethic have always been remarkable,” she says. “Whether on or off the court, he has consistently given his all.”
During practice seasons, Adam would often return home late in the evening, Amy recalls. “While it required adjustments from all of us, we understood his dedication and supported him fully,” she adds. “In fact, Adam’s passion for athletics inspired me as well. We come from a family that values physical activity, and it has played a central role in shaping our lives.”
“Getting here was not easy,” says Adam van Harte, who only started playing padel last year. He is set to play in three international tournaments this June. PHOTO: Sebastian Paulus
The power duo
Chevaan Davids introduced Adam to padel, and the two now play as a team. Chevaan describes the relationship between the two of them as a “great partnership”.
“Adam enjoys the pressure and sees it as a moment to show how well he can play,” says Chevaan. While they’ve had “some tense moments”, Chevaan says that one of their strengths as a team is that they know each other really well, and often knows what the other one is thinking.
“Adam learned to mix up defence and attack very well considering we both only started in August last year. So, I admire the balance he found in his game,” says Chevaan.
Chevaan Davids, who introduced Adam to padel, describes the relationship between the two of them as a “great partnership”. PHOTO: Sourced/Instagram
The big break
Adam got his first big break this year when he was awarded a “wild card” by A1 Padel Cape Town to play with Willy Lahoz as partner at the A1 Padel-Payspace tournament. Lahoz is a Spanish padel player, who according to the padelalto.com, won various WPT tournaments.
“It was an interesting experience,” he says. “It was quite different because I’ve never played in a professional tournament. It was all very new – just the way you are treated. You get a player’s pass and stuff like that. I had my own players lounge,” he says.
Playing with Willy Lahoz was a career highlight for Adam and, although they lost, he learned a lot from their game. “He is such a great player and he made me feel so comfortable,” says Adam. “Even though we lost, that day I felt like I won because I got to play with him.”
“I am a creature of habit. I like having a routine so this new sport was very out of my comfort zone”
Beyond the court
Adam is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town. He therefore juggles his academic commitments with his padel career.
He finds solace in leisure activities and cherishes time with his friends, whom he considers his extended family.
“Spending time with my friends and loved ones – whether it’s enjoying a meal at a cosy restaurant or catching a movie together – brings me immense joy,” he says.
Adam has a few big tournaments lined up later this year. “I’m going to play three tournaments overseas, one in Italy, one in Monaco, and then the last one in Spain,” he says.
Adam, who hopes to graduate at the end of the year, plans to take three weeks off from his studies this June to compete in these tournaments.
“My plan is obviously to just do the best that I can when I’m there while continuing to improve my game,” he says. “I think I kind of thrive under pressure and difficult circumstances. A lot of people succumb to the pressure, but I think that I embrace the pressure and my best abilities come out during pressure.”
His ultimate goal is to become one of the best padel players in South Africa.
“I’m still trying and learning,” he says. “I don’t know what the future holds and it’s difficult to guess. But I’m a hard worker and I will fulfil my dream.”
In preparation for his upcoming tournaments Adam van Harte always tries to get as much practice as possible. PHOTO: Sebastian Paulus