Klopp meets Sabatini: Celebrity Padel at Mallorca Country Club

Celebrities on the Court: Klopp and Sabatini in Santa Ponsa

Saturday, late afternoon, the sun still warm over Santa Ponsa and on the road there are the usual mopeds. At Mallorca Country Club you could hear another sound: applause, a few exclamations, and the soft clacking of padel balls against the glass wall. Right in the middle: Jürgen Klopp and Gabriela Sabatini, who participated together in a Celebrity Padel.

An Unusual Doubles Pair

Those who come here often won't be surprised: celebrities play on the island, of course. But an English-German laugh between rallies sticks in the memory. Klopp, in jeans and a sporty vest, seemed focused but relaxed — he joked with the audience, pulled faces after a good shot. Sabatini, usually known for her stern demeanor on tennis courts, showed a broad smile and chimed in with short, charming remarks. Around 4:30 PM the match began before a well-filled crowd; the wind was mild, around 20–22°C.

“She asked me beforehand if I could even play padel,” whispered someone from the front row — clearly filled with little celebrity anecdotes. Indeed: Sabatini had previously said she looked forward to swapping with players from other sports. Her wish came true that afternoon.

Opponents and Result

On the other side of the net stood the German padel pro Denise Hoefer and Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal's uncle, who acted surprisingly tactically. The match was described as tight, intense, and highly entertaining for spectators. In the end Hoefer and Toni Nadal prevailed — not through loud drama, but through clever angles and good positioning.

More than Just a Game

For many visitors it was less about the result than the moment: a former football coach who still seems restless, and a tennis icon who fills the court with elegance. Between rallies you could hear compliments, photographers flashed briefly, and children on the stands tried to imitate the swings. Uwe Ochsenknecht and other guests watched, some commented on the game loudly and laughed — typical island atmosphere.

Padel itself is now almost everywhere — smaller court, glass walls, fast doubles. Once you have seen it, you quickly notice: it is lively, accessible and fun. And on a mild October afternoon by the sea it looks even better.

Will Klopp become a regular padel player? Hard to say. But after this afternoon, all guests likely shared a common feeling: Mallorca offers courts where world stars casually join in — and the audience simply enjoys it together.