An exclusive with Egmond van Heerden
From an unexpected late-night invitation to play padel to competing on the FIP Premier Padel circuit and breaking into the world’s Top 500, Egmond van Heerden’s rise is a story of ambition, dedication and plenty of hard work.
The South African star knew after his very first game that padel was the sport he wanted to pursue professionally. Today, he trains for hours every day, competes internationally and proudly carries the South African flag onto the global stage.
From reaching the FIP South African semi-finals with partner Richard Ashforth to battling brutal heat and humidity overseas, Egmond has experienced the highs, challenges and realities of life as a professional padel player.
So, what drives him to keep pushing? What does it take to compete internationally? And what advice does he have for the next generation of South African players dreaming of going global?
Get to know the man behind the racket and discover Egmond’s journey to the world stage.