Some Meetings Are Just Different

One of the things I love most about padel is that the best business meetings rarely happen around a boardroom table.

This week, our FLO ambassador Greg travelled from Karachi to spend the day with me.

Greg wears many hats. He is a passionate community builder, works with a leading court manufacturer, and is currently developing an app designed to help clubs manage bookings and operations—and, most importantly, build stronger padel communities.

Instead of heading straight into a meeting room, we did what padel people should do.

We played.

Starting With a Serve

After an hour on court, we sat down to talk about the future of the sport.

We spoke about how clubs can create genuine communities rather than simply rent courts. We discussed how technology should make life easier for players and club owners, and how manufacturers, coaches, organisers and brands all have a role to play in growing padel together.

The conversation flowed naturally because we had already shared a court.

There is something about playing together that breaks down barriers. You stop speaking only as businesses and begin speaking as people who genuinely care about the same sport.

More Than a Business Conversation

By the end of the day, Greg smiled and said:

“I never talk this much about padel unless I’m with Tariq.”

I took that as one of the nicest compliments I have received.

Not because we agreed on everything, but because it reminded me why I started FLO in the first place.

I am endlessly fascinated by every part of this sport—from racket design and manufacturing to coaching, clubs, technology and the communities that bring everything to life.

There is always another perspective to understand, another problem to solve and another idea worth exploring.

Building the Future Together

The future of padel will not be built by one company or one individual.

It will be built through friendships, collaboration and conversations like these. It will be shaped by people who are willing to share what they know, listen to different perspectives and work together to move the sport forward.

Sometimes, the most productive meeting begins with a serve—not a slideshow.

Thank you, Greg, for making the journey.

We look forward to building something special together.