Julian Wortelboer
🎾 Julian’s Coaching Philosophy 🎾
“Develop the player. Empower the person. Grow the sport.”
1. Coaching with Purpose
Every session is more than just hitting balls — it’s an opportunity to build habits, decision-making, and self-belief. I coach to make players smarter, more efficient, and mentally sharper, not just better hitters.
2. Progress Over Perfection
I believe in a layered learning process:
Technical foundation → Tactical awareness → Mental resilience → Competitive confidence.
Improvement is never linear, but consistency in small wins leads to exponential growth.
3. Energy on Court is Contagious
A coach’s presence sets the tone. My sessions are structured, high-energy, and intentionally fun. I feed with purpose, correct with care, and push with empathy. I don’t just teach; I motivate, challenge, and inspire.
4. Coaching Is a Conversation
I listen as much as I instruct. Great coaching means adapting to the player’s learning style, personality, and goals. Feedback flows both ways — I’m a coach, but also a student of the game and the player.
5. Respect the Wall. Master the Mind.
Padel is unique — it rewards anticipation, patience, and control. My philosophy centers on helping players read the game, play with intention, and use the wall as an ally, not an obstacle.
6. Coach the Person, Not Just the Player
Character > Results. Whether they’re juniors, adults, or competitors, my goal is to help them grow on and off the court. I want every student to leave feeling more confident, more connected, and more curious.
Julian’s illustrious career began as a professional padel and tennis player before transitioning to become a trailblazer in racquet sports management. He combines the discipline and dedication of a world-class athlete with over 25 years of excellence in private club management, bringing unparalleled expertise to every engagement.
Julian is a driving force behind the professionalization and global expansion of padel. Formerly Chief Padel Officer and Business Development Lead at Ultra Padel Club, the largest padel complex in the United States, he now serves as Chief Padel Officer and Director of Operations at ICON Padel Club, one of the world’s premier luxury padel destinations.
Julian has been instrumental in the strategic development and execution of high-value padel projects, including Park Padel Club (San Francisco), Wynwood Padel Club, Austin Padel Club, and Padel Club Maracaibo, among others. His expertise spans site selection, financial modeling, operational design, and brand development, ensuring each project achieves sustainable profitability and long-term investor returns.
Recognized as one of the few global entrepreneurs capable of scaling padel clubs from concept to lasting success, Julian combines deep industry knowledge with disciplined execution. His mission is clear: to help investors build legacy-driven clubs that stand out in a rapidly evolving market—facilities that are not only profitable, but iconic.
Central to Julian’s impact on the sport is Padel Smash Academy, the global powerhouse he co-founded with Cesc Cáceres. Today, Padel Smash Academy is recognized as the world's number one padel YouTube channel and podcast, redefining how the game is learned, experienced, and scaled. As the largest and most influential padel content platform in the United States and the world, it has rewritten the playbook for growing the sport—on and off the court.
Built on a “growth before profit” philosophy, Padel Smash Academy has created a thriving ecosystem through daily content creation, high-level education, strategic partnerships, and direct support for padel entrepreneurs and club owners. Their YouTube channel, with over 325,000 followers, and the global Padel Smash Academy podcast, with 498,000 subscribers, showcase an unmatched worldwide reach and authority. With its innovative approach to coaching education, player development, and club management, Padel Smash Academy sits at the forefront of padel’s future—shaping the sport not only in the United States but also across the world.
Julian is also the only certified Padel Master Coach in the United States, with a methodology and instructional techniques that are second to none. His expertise sets the standard for elite educational programs and is the foundation for best-in-class padel club management practices. He is the author of influential coaching books, including Good to Great Coaching and Mastering the Art of Coaching Padel, which share his proven frameworks for developing athletes and elevating coaching standards worldwide.
As the former President of the Padel Coaches Association (PCA), Julian Wortelboer played a key role in elevating coaching standards and expanding the sport’s footprint worldwide. He was instrumental in developing the first-ever Padel Coaches Certification in the United States in partnership with the Padel Coaching Registry (PCR)—a landmark achievement in the professionalization of the sport. Today, that certification has been merged into Padel Smash Academy, the leading platform for padel coach education and development in the U.S., further advancing Julian’s mission to empower coaches and grow the game.
Julian’s professional achievements extend to becoming one of the first two Racquet Sports Directors in the U.S. to earn the prestigious Professional Sports Registry (PSR) “4-Star” rating. His numerous certifications include USPTA, PTR, PPR, PPTR, PCR, USPTA Padel Certification, Padel Coaching HAC Method Levels 1 & 2, and CRSE (Certified Racquet Sports Executive), as well as a Master’s degree in Racquet Sports Management from the University of Florida.
In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Julian’s contributions were recognized on an international level with his nomination to represent the USA National Padel Team at the Pan American Games, underscoring his leadership and lasting influence on the global growth of padel.
🎾 Julian’s Bio 🎾
