Cricket legend Strauss swaps bat for padel racket

Andrew Strauss is one of the brains behind a new padel tournament designed to capitalise on the sport's growing popularity.

The former England cricket captain will take on fellow sports stars Michael Vaughan, Andriy Shevchenko and Bryan Habana in the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic at London's Hurlingham Club this May,

Padel is a doubles racket discipline that combines elements of tennis and squash and is seen as one of the world's fastest growing sports, with celebs like David Beckham, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Sylvain Wiltord and Neymar all big fans. Liverpool manager Jurgen Kloop even had a court installed at the Anfield club's training ground.

“In recent years, I have become passionate about padel, a sport which, has huge appeal and I know the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic will be the perfect event for The Hurlingham Club," said Strauss, one of only three England captains to win The Ashes at home and away.

“Our vision for the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic is to create a unique and exclusive pro-am and lifestyle event around one of the most exciting sports in the world.

“As a former professional sportsman who hasn’t lost his competitive spirit, I look forward to going up against my friend Bryan Habana on the lawns of Hurlingham in May."

The pro-am tournament will raise funds for Laureus Sport for Good, a global charity that supports programmes and organisations around the world that use the power of sport to help young people overcome violence, discrimination, and inequality.

“In Alfred Dunhill and Laureus Sport for Good, we believe we have the perfect partners to deliver this vision, at The Hurlingham Club in May and in new markets in the future," added Strauss.

"We believe an invitation to the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic will become one of the most sought-after tickets in the sport.”

The Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic has been co-founded by ex-IMG event executive Charlie Grave and TTB Sport, the investment, advisory and marketing group chaired by Strauss.