Monalisa Says I Even Found Myself Wishing I Were Out There Playing At World Padel League

Monalisa may have arrived at the World Padel League as a spectator, but by the time she left the NSCI Dome in Mumbai, she was already thinking about picking up a racket. The television personality attended the tournament alongside Sana Makbul and several other celebrities, and her first live experience of professional padel left her thoroughly impressed.

Talking about the experience, Monalisa admitted that this was her first time watching the World Padel League live. “I had an idea of what the game was like, but seeing it live made me realize how wonderful it is; you have to play using your mind while putting in full physical effort,” she said. The combination of strategy and athleticism clearly caught her attention, with the actor enjoying every bit of the fast-paced action.

What really won Monalisa over, however, was the performance of the players, particularly the women competing in the league. “The way they are playing—especially the girls, and the boys too... well, boys are naturally strong, but the girls are amazing. I really enjoyed it,” she said. Her enthusiasm was so strong that she found herself imagining what it would be like to be on the court herself.

“I even found myself wishing I were out there playing. Maybe after leaving here, I’ll start learning the game myself,” Monalisa added. That sounds like quite the endorsement for a sport she had only experienced from the stands. And considering how quickly the game appears to have won her over, a Monalisa padel debut may not be too far-fetched.

The actor also appreciated the fitness element of padel. According to her, the sport keeps the entire body involved, making it an exciting alternative to conventional workouts. “It feels like your whole body is engaged while playing, and it’s great exercise—and everyone knows how important exercise is these days,” she said, adding that while gym workouts have their place, padel offers a different kind of full-body activity.

For Monalisa, the tournament was not simply about exercise, though. The atmosphere inside the venue played a huge role in winning her over. “I think this sport is going to grow rapidly because there was so much excitement while watching it; it was pure entertainment,” she said. That mix of competition, athleticism and entertainment seems to be exactly what she believes could help padel find a larger audience in India.

And when it came to picking a side, Monalisa did not hesitate. She made it clear that she was supporting the Lions, who had reached the semi-finals. “We’re currently on a winning streak, and I hope the Lions win, make it to the finals, and win the title there too,” she said. Clearly, she was not planning to sit on the fence once the competition got serious.

Monalisa also admitted that she was surprised by how much she enjoyed her first visit. “This is my first time here, and I’m wondering why I didn’t come sooner—I really loved it,” she said. She particularly enjoyed watching the women's matches and jokingly acknowledged that she might be a little biased in their favour.

Her passion for sports also comes naturally from her personal life. Monalisa pointed out that she has always supported sports, with her husband being a cricketer. She explained that watching sporting events, whether on television or in person, can make her heart race, and the World Padel League delivered exactly that feeling.

What made the experience even more surprising was how emotionally invested she became in players she had never met. “I mean, I don’t even know them that well—they’re from Spain and Argentina—but I was still rooting for them so intensely,” she said. That spontaneous connection with the players and the competition appears to have been one of the biggest highlights of her evening.

Monalisa's message to audiences was simple: give padel a chance. She encouraged people to support the league, watch the matches and even try playing the sport themselves. If her reaction is anything to go by, she may have arrived at the NSCI Dome simply to watch a game, but she left with a new sporting obsession waiting to happen.

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