The world of padel is in turmoil. The public unveiling in the last few hours of Nike first padel rackets at an exclusive event organised by Drake and his brand NOCTA has set the market alight.
In attendance were Juan Lebrón and Agustín Tapia, as well as NBA stars such as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and the event offered a first glimpse of the three models with which the American brand aims to enter the sport.
Nike first padel rackets: Command, Attack and Balance
Nike unveiled three very distinct padel rackets, all with a striking aesthetic and a design aimed squarely at the premium segment. The Nike Command caught the eye with its double-perforated exterior, a carbon fibre finish resembling 16K, an asymmetrical core and a sand-textured surface. The Nike Attack features a very aggressive geometric shape, with a similar perforation pattern and a clearly offensive focus. The third, the Nike Balance, is the most classic of the trio: 12K carbon, a sandy texture and a more standard shape, designed for those seeking a balance between control and power.
Pablo Herreros from El4Set has posted this reel showing all three Nike models:
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Three rackets which, from what we’ve seen, are set to compete head-to-head with the big brands on the circuit.
Nike is preparing its official entry in 2027… and Tapia is the main target
The unveiling was no one-off gesture. Nike is working towards officially entering the padel scene in 2027, and its main target is clear: Agustín Tapia, the world number one. The multinational wants to make him its global ambassador, but the Argentine is under contract with NOX until the end of 2028. For this reason, according to industry sources, a three-way agreement is being negotiated: Tapia would wear Nike clothing but keep his NOX racket.
A complex move, but one that reflects Nike’s genuine interest in entering the sport with a bang and with a top-level ambassador.
Tapia: “It would be a dream come true for me”
After Jesús Ballvé, founder of NOX, confirmed that Nike had contacted them, Tapia himself decided to speak out several weeks ago in an interview with Mundo Deportivo. The Argentine made it clear that it would be an exciting prospect for him and admitted that he’d heard the rumours just like any other fan: “I found out via social media and various websites. It’s true it caused quite a stir”.
Tapia welcomed Nike’s interest: “If they got in touch with Jesús, that’s obviously a good sign. The fact that such a major brand – if not the biggest in the world – is interested in me and our sport is very positive. It shows just how much we’re growing”.
Even so, he wanted to play things down: “At the moment, there’s absolutely nothing concrete. My team’s job is to keep me informed as the talks progress. And if nobody’s mentioned anything to me yet, it’s probably because there’s still a long way to go”.
And, despite everything, he made it clear what it would mean for him to wear the Swoosh: “It would be a dream come true for me. So, fingers crossed”.
A move that confirms padel is now on the global radar
Meanwhile, Tapia remains under contract with NOX and focused on competition. But Nike’s interest — real, growing and increasingly visible — confirms that padel has moved beyond being an emerging sport to become a strategic market for the world’s major sports brands.
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