Eighteen years ago, life brought me to Palma de Mallorca. I arrived on an island that, over time, has become home. An island that never stops surprising me with its contrasts: the deep blue of the sea, hidden coves, villages full of history, the mountains, the Mediterranean light, local gastronomy and that very special way of living outdoors.

Mallorca has something that is difficult to explain. It is not just a sun and beach destination. It is an island to be enjoyed slowly, with all your senses open and a willingness to let yourself be carried away. And perhaps that is why padel fits so perfectly here.

Because padel is also about that: enjoying, sharing, moving, learning and connecting with other people.

For many years, basketball was my sport. I played it from a young age and even became a referee for the Balearic Federation. But in 2022, I was invited to play a padel match, and everything changed.

I had never picked up a padel racket before. I did not know the rules. I did not know where to position myself on the court. But from that very first match, I understood why so many people fall in love with this sport. Padel is fun from day one, but the more you play, the more it challenges you. It makes you think, improve, trust your partner and understand that the winner is not always the person who hits the ball the hardest, but the one who plays with more intelligence.

Shortly afterwards, I started group training at a club on the island and, a few months later, I was already part of a women’s team competing in the Mallorca league. What started as an improvised plan became a new passion.

For me, a perfect day of padel in Mallorca begins with a sunny morning, an outdoor court and a group of people ready to have a good time. It could be a training session to improve your technique, a match with friends or a small tournament where the most important thing is not only winning, but enjoying every point.

The best part comes afterwards.

Because in Mallorca, padel does not end when the match is over. It continues on the club terrace, in the conversation with your partner, in the laughter with your opponents, over a shared meal or in an improvised plan somewhere near the sea.

That is one of the things I love most about this sport: its social side. Padel brings people together. People who do not know each other can end up sharing a court, a conversation and, very often, a friendship. It is competitive, yes, but it is also warm, fun and deeply human.

Mallorca’s climate also makes it possible to enjoy padel for much of the year. Although there are indoor courts, playing outdoors in pleasant weather has something truly special. For me, the months from October to May are ideal: bright days, comfortable temperatures and a quieter island, perfect for enjoying the sport without rushing.

Over time, I have realised that travelling and playing padel have a lot in common. Both take you out of your routine, connect you with new people and leave you with memories that go far beyond the moment itself.

That is why Grip and Trip was born: to bring together the happiness of travelling with the happiness of playing padel. To discover Mallorca from a local, active and authentic perspective. To experience the island not just as a tourist, but as someone who comes to enjoy, move, share and take something special home.

Because there are many ways to discover Mallorca. But doing it with a padel racket in your hand, good company by your side and the Mediterranean in the background might be one of the best.

In the next posts, I will share more about what it feels like to experience Mallorca when padel becomes the perfect excuse to discover the island.