A growing number of professionals and law firms in Britain are turning to padel, the fast-growing racquet sport, as their preferred way to entertain and build relationships with clients, replacing traditional pursuits such as golf or long lunches accompanied by alcohol. Firms say the sport's short, sociable format and energetic pace make it an easier and quicker way to bond with clients than an all-day round of golf, while its social nature also appeals to younger professionals and to women, who have often felt excluded from golf-centred client entertainment.

Padel, a mix of tennis and squash typically played in doubles on an enclosed court, has surged in popularity across the UK in recent years, with courts opening rapidly at clubs and leisure centres. Businesses and legal firms cited in the article are increasingly booking padel sessions instead of golf days or boozy lunches, framing it as healthier, more inclusive and better suited to modern working culture and shorter attention spans.