This interview is especially relevant for club owners, operators, coaches, and investors who want a grounded perspective on how padel is evolving in the United States.

Who is Hank Medina (Litquidity)?

Hank Medina is a former investment banker and the personality behind the Litquidity platform. He is also active as a racquet sports and club investor, with a specific interest in how padel scales in the U.S.

When was your first exposure to racquet sports? What drove your passion?

“I started playing tennis at a young age and was introduced to the game by my father. I played from age six through college, and tennis became part of my lifestyle. When I worked in finance in New York, I noticed a lack of courts. When Padel Haus opened in Williamsburg, I went with a friend and immediately fell in love with it.”

“Investing came after I realized the sport is still early in the U.S. and we need more courts. That inspired me to create memes that ended up getting the attention of padel club founders who are raising capital.”

How did you build an 800,000+ follower base on social media?

“My audience originally came from memes about my experiences as an investment banker and private equity professional in New York. I never set out to invest in racquet sports. When I quit my job in late 2020, I built Litquidity into a business and invested in startups where the platform could add value. I now have investments in about 30 businesses, including padel and other racquet sports.”

“My intention is to add to the lives of the community that follows me, whether that is career advancement, trends, or humor.”

What do you think the timeframe will be for padel becoming mainstream in the U.S.?

“I think it will take about five years for the sport to become mainstream. Capital is being invested into building more courts. In the short term, padel will likely be concentrated in country clubs or as an aspirational sport, but like other racquet sports, it will become more accessible over time.”

What do you predict we will learn about multi-sport players?

“We are already seeing more multi-sport players. For example, I played padel on Saturday with colleagues and tennis on Sunday with my family. It is a great opportunity for networking and connection.”

“I do not necessarily see pickleball players adopting tennis, but I can see them taking up padel. Like golf, padel can complement other sports.”

What will the club of the future look like?

“I am one of the co-founders of Bond. The conversation started as a potential investment, but I took on a bigger role because of the team’s background and execution. It will be a gathering place for a new generation of padel players and visiting players from around the world.”

“Amenities like a gym, restaurant, bar, and wellness services will be part of the model. The goal is a social environment through sport that is not dependent on alcohol and food.”

Investor lens: what matters most

“I will be talking about investment principles that apply to any industry. Look at growth potential and what differentiates a club or product concept from others. Ask whether the revenue model supports expenses like land and rent.”

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