Mark Veldmate explains the intricacies of padel. Photo: Jasper Moulijn
Tuesday morning, lane eight. Padel trainer Mark Veldmate stands in the far corner of the hall of Peakz Euroborg in Groningen. During a private lesson, the former professional football player teaches an elderly man all the strokes of the padel; the bandeja, chiquita, bajada: they all pass by. It is eleven o’clock when Veldmate has finished his lesson. He walks to the lounge sofa at lane two, puts a lunch box with a picture of My Little Pony on a scaffolding wooden table and plops down satisfied. He is happy. Veldmate earns his money with padel and he could not have imagined that a few years ago.