The sports world’s getting uppity. Shove stick ball, handball, pickleball.
We’re talking high-class ball. Like straight out of the late Princess Grace Kelly’s backyard. From Monte-Carlo International Sports comes padel ball.
Which is what? Fabrice Pastor, president of the A1 Padel worldwide pro circuit, now partnering with the NY Yankees, is bringing the game here. Sunday. Wollman Rink.
Me too limited to even hold marbles, I asked him to explain the thing: “2015, we launched the Fabrice Pastor Cup circuit in South America. Now we’re touring the four continents.”
Yeah. But it’s what? Football? Croquet? Spitball?
“Similar to tennis 90%, the ball is wool inside. A tennis ball goes away. Ours comes back. Indoor, playing on a carpet, means social fun at age 7 or 87. You can go out of court after your smash hits the ground, then come right back in. Our racket’s smaller. Less inflated. Less pressure. Our uniform’s like for polo or rugby. Learning time’s one week.
“Prince Albert, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer all love padel. Women, too. Look, I’m fifth generation from Monaco. My grandfather built 70% of the country. A professional player, I wanted to give back. Not to make money — a true sports gift is to change your life.”
OK. Besides smashing balls into walls, what else is he doing while here?
“Walk. My kids are coming. It was Yankee president Randy Levine’s idea to bring us here. To see Brooklyn, The Bronx, check for a putting court so players can create a padel clinic. And . . . Sunday . . . I will teach YOU to play.”
Oh, please. Right now my immediate plan is to take a nap.
Horror of Israel attack hits hard
An Israeli family: “Weekending at a kibbutz on the Gaza border, hearing shots from above, we secreted in the shelter for 24 hours.
“Nearby, cousins of the former head of New York’s Belgian Tourist Office — Mom, Dad and two kids — were shot dead outside their home.
“This Nazi-like cruelty is a nightmare.”
Aid for Laine
Denny Laine of Paul McCartney and Wings fame caught COVID. Not recovered. Musicians such as Letterman’s Paul Shaffer and the Monkees’ Micky Dolenz will work Hollywood’s Troubadour Nov. 27. A benefit for his hospital bills.
Talent rich
“Rustin,” the life of activist Bayard Rustin, stars Chris Rock and Audra McDonald. Obama’s company, Higher Ground, produced it. 2018 they launched it. 2019 Spotify partnered for projects. 2022 the partnership ended. 2023 they signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Audible. Into the presidency poor. Out of the presidency rich. So don’t cry for Argentina or Michelle. Or Biden.
Story on hold
After a fall, Dr. Ruth, temporarily in a nursing home, says that, come January, her “Becoming Dr. Ruth” was to play Haifa, Israel. In Hebrew. Then travel the country. An Israeli actress would play Ruth. The NY Times is printing Ruth’s story. Physical therapy’s first priority, but she can’t always know when they’ll show to take her away. The story’s written but they now need a photo taken at the Hebrew Home.
Education’s important. Helps you work in the White House for someone who knows nothing.
Known not only in New York, kids, not only in New York.