“I want to enjoy this sport for as long as I can”
Posted: Friday 30 January 2026
Paul never imagined padel would become his favourite sport. Now 17 years later, the Welshman represents his country in tournaments for the over 60s, even as his vision has declined.
Paul, 74, was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) three years ago after noticing blurry vision while playing the sport. He was concerned about what it would mean for his future in the sport, which had become such a passion after he retired.
Paul recalled: “First it was more driving at night and I noticed I was getting a lot of glare from other road users, so I thought ‘perhaps I just needed a new prescription?’
"Then when I was playing padel I noticed a bit of blurred vision. I went to have my eyes tested and that’s how I was told I had macular degeneration. I’ve had cancer five times, but I think being told you are going blind is probably the worst of what’s left.”
Spreading enjoyment - Paul's passion for padel
Paul said staying positive has kept his passion for padel alive, as well as passing his enjoyment on to others.
He said: “I’m such a positive person, I asked what it all meant and I was told about injections and that full blindness isn’t really what happens here. Obviously over a period of time I may have to rely on my peripheral vision.
“If I lose my sight, that will be massive. I can still maintain good vision for now, and I should be okay for a while especially with my injections, but it would be heartbreaking not to see my wife, the kids, the grandchildren.
“And it’s the same for my sport, because I’m playing for my country. No matter the sport or age, to represent them with the jersey is a very proud moment.
“I am always trying to stay positive because I want to continue playing and coaching. I want to enjoy this sport for as long as I can because if my sight is no good, then it will be a great struggle. I just want people to enjoy padel too as much as I have in the 17 years I’ve been playing.”
Padel combines elements of tennis and squash, with indoor courts typically enclosed by glass, and a net dividing two sides. The game follows the same scoring system as tennis.
Paul had been helping to run a car dealership when he decided to retire and move to Spain in 2007. It was while living abroad that he was introduced to padel and is now in the Four Nations Wales men’s team.
“I was 20 stone and thought I’d be terrible at it,” said Paul. “I’d never heard of it but I went along, I was handed an old racket with little expectation but I was actually very good. I had played squash and tennis some 40 years earlier, but I was gripped by this sport.
“Eventually I was running the club and padel became my passion. I’m now back in Wales playing in the Four Nations Wales men’s team, specifically for people over 60 and it’s a real honour.”
Since developing AMD and cataracts, Paul said he hadn’t reached a stage of needing to adapt his day-to-day yet. He remains independent, returning to Spain twice a year, and continues to drive while he still can.
“I think I’ve adapted well and can get by without any aids. I've had to try and make sure that I haven’t altered my life too much, I try and remain as normal and as positive all the time about most things,” he said.
Changing playstyle on the court
Despite that, Paul has had to find ways of compensating on the court, to still compete against people with better vision.
“When I play in Cwmbran, I stay at one end where the lighting is better. And I'm fortunate that people understand, because you’re supposed to swap and people don’t want to be beaten by the ‘blind’ man,” he joked.
”Because I've got this slight double vision or overlapping, or blurriness, my timing isn't quite as good as it was.”
Keep active and social
Whether its padel or any other activity, Paul encourages others with sight loss to try something new.
He said: “Padel is a fantastic social sport, but even if people don't want to try it, try pickleball, try the gym, play some tennis, or squash, or try jogging or walking. Whatever you can do, do it.
“Even if you can’t see well, you don’t even have to be an athlete, it doesn’t matter. In padel I position myself at the back more than be the runaround and that’s my game. It’s great what people can still do so they should give it a go, try something new.”
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