How an Italian, Toni Montesanti, became the visionary behind Bali’s padel boom

When Toni Montesanti talks about his journey to Bali and his love for padel, you can hear the passion in his voice.

But what makes his story even more compelling is that it’s all happened in such a short span of time.

Just two years ago, in 2022, Toni co-founded Jungle Padel, a sport and social hub that has now become a household name in Bali.

But how did an Italian, with roots in Spain and London, end up building one of the most exciting sports communities in this resort island?

The Unexpected Escape to Bali

Toni’s adventure into padel wasn’t planned. It all started during the lockdowns of 2020.

Before moving to Bali in 2021, he and his family were in London, enduring the same restrictions that the rest of the world faced.

But instead of just waiting out the storm, his wife suggested something radical —what if they left the UK and moved to Bali?

Bali, a place they had visited back in 2014 and left with good memories, seemed like the perfect escape.

Toni wasn’t so sure.

“I actually wanted to go to Thailand. I thought there I could play padel,” he recounted.

But life had other plans for him, and his wife convinced him to give Bali a shot. Little did Toni know that this decision would lead him to an entirely new chapter of his life.

Falling in Love with Padel in Spain

But Toni’s first encounter with padel happened years earlier in Spain.

“In Marbella, I discovered padel,” he says. “I had been playing tennis, but as soon as I tried padel, I never touched a tennis racket again.”

That was in 2014, and it was love at first swing.

Padel, a game that combines elements of tennis and squash, was exploding in Spain at the time—and Toni quickly became obsessed. “It’s a game for everyone,” he explains, “no matter your age or fitness level.”

But the sport hadn’t quite made its way to other parts of the world, especially not to Indonesia.

When Toni did some research about playing padel in Bali, he was surprised to discover there was nothing. That’s when a thought struck him—maybe, just maybe, he could change that.

The Serendipitous Partnership

In those early days of his research, Toni stumbled across a blog mentioning padel in Bali.

That blog led him to Stefan, a Swedish expat who had been living in Bali for over 40 years. They connected over email and soon began discussing the idea of bringing padel to the island.

“I wasn’t even sure I wanted to open a club,” Toni admits. “At first, I just wanted a place to play!”

But as the idea grew, so did the vision.

The two men had never met in person when they began planning the project, but the connection was undeniable.

During a stopover in Jakarta, they finally met face-to-face, and Stefan showed Toni the land where Jungle Padel would eventually rise.

“It was just green land,” Toni laughs, “there was nothing there. But I saw the potential.”

Robin, another key co-founder, joined the team after Stefan, bringing in his own expertise and vision to help shape the future of what was to become the iconic Jungle Padel.

Building the Dream Together

In 2022, Jungle Padel opened its doors for the very first time.

It wasn’t long before the place was packed; and Toni and his team worked tirelessly to introduce padel to the locals.

“We had to teach people how to play, how to get involved,” he recalls. “We were there every day, playing with everyone.”

Within three months, the courts were fully booked, and there was a waiting list. “It was crazy,” he says with a smile.

Despite their early success, Toni’s vision extended far beyond Bali.

“I knew the sport had huge potential here in Indonesia,” he says.

But, like many other countries, Indonesia was slow to embrace padel despite its strong tradition in another racquet sport, badminton.

“At first, they didn’t really get it. But slowly, it started to catch on,” he explains.

The Future of Padel in Bali: Just the Beginning

But Toni doesn’t just see Jungle Padel as a business—he sees it as a community.

“It’s not just about the game,” he says. “It’s about connecting people. It’s a social game.”

For Toni, the most rewarding part of building Jungle Padel has been the connections people make on the courts.

“I’ve met most of my friends through padel,” he shares. “People come here, play, and after the game, they sit, chat, and connect. It’s incredible to see.”

When asked whether Bali has reached its peak for padel, Toni is adamant that they’re just scratching the surface.

“The sport is growing fast, and more and more Indonesians are getting involved.”

The key, Toni believes, is to keep expanding, keep building the community, and most importantly, keep the love for the sport alive.

As for the future, Toni’s focus is on expanding Jungle Padel into a national, and even regional brand.

He’s already planning new locations in Jakarta and Lembongan, and there are talks of opening in major cities around Southeast Asia.

“We’re taking this to the next level,” he says. “But we’ll never forget where we started.”

From the Courts to the Heart

What makes Toni’s story so inspiring is that it’s more than just about building a successful business—it’s about creating a space for people to feel like they’re a part of something.

There’s a sense of fulfilment in what he’s built, but also an excitement for what’s to come.

“It’s been a crazy two years,” he says, “but the best part is, we’re just getting started.”

So, whether you’re a digital nomad, an expat, or someone planning a move to Bali, don’t be surprised if your next conversation starts with: “Have you tried padel yet?

“You’ve got to check out Jungle Padel.”

And for Toni, well, he’s already dreaming bigger.