Alpha of the Day

Story spotlights covering key players in the padel and racket sport world. Crafted daily.

Judy Kam

Judy Kam

@judyxkam

Tech, OOTD, and journey back to tennis content (tennis insta is @judyonthecourt)

Featured post
143.3K
Followers
3.4K
Following
575
Posts
MegaContent Creator
NY, United States
TennisLifestyle

Engagement Metrics

1.7x
View/Follower Ratio
63/100
Engagement Value
45/100
Influence Score

Alpha Story

Mar 10, 2026

Judy Kam (@judyxkam) is a former NYU Division III tennis player turned fashion and lifestyle influencer with 143,270 followers who bridges elite collegiate athletics with elevated everyday style. Her profile reveals a unique positioning at the intersection of tennis, fashion, and tech content, creating appeal across multiple demographic segments including young professionals, tennis enthusiasts, and fashion-conscious audiences. Her athletic credentials are substantial. As a member of NYU's Women's Tennis team during the 2019-20 season, she posted an impressive 10-1 singles record and 13-1 doubles record while serving as team captain. Having played tennis since age 4, her recent content evolution represents the fulfillment of a long-term goal: working with tennis-related brands and attending major tennis events. Recent collaborations highlight this trajectory, including a US Open Style Edit partnership with Merlette NYC where she styled elevated fashion pieces for the tournament, and a brand partnership with Vuori for activewear and tennis content. While tennis remains her primary athletic focus, Judy has demonstrated crossover interest in padel through event attendance, including We Wore What's tennis collection launch event that featured padel. Her NYU Stern graduate background adds business credibility to her content strategy, positioning her as both athlete and sophisticated content creator with 143K Instagram followers and 131.6K TikTok followers across platforms. For padel brands seeking to penetrate the tennis-to-padel crossover market and fashion-forward athletic audiences, Judy offers authentic access to educated, style-conscious young professionals already engaged in racquet sports. Her proven ability to integrate brand partnerships authentically while maintaining her elevated aesthetic makes her a strategic partner for brands positioning padel as the next sophisticated racquet sport for fashion-conscious athletes.

Recent Posts

Influencer post
Influencer post
Influencer post

The Alpha Database

Explore curated alpha stories. Sign up free to access the full database and track your favorites.

Alpha stories available to Pro members only

Sammi Tannor Cohen

Sammi Tannor Cohen

@sammicohentalks

✨the intersection of Wall Street, tech & culture📈🍒 💸 I talk about the hottest business lore ❤️‍🔥 🎙️ @socialcurrency podcast

📷instagramMegaContent Creator📍 NY, United States
219.5K
Followers
989
Following
589
Posts
Engagement Metrics
1.7x
View/Follower Ratio
373.5K
Avg. Views
70/100
Engagement Value
55/100
Influence Score
Alpha Story
Mar 9, 2026

Sammi Tannor Cohen (@sammicohentalks) is a verified business and tech content creator with 219,470 followers who specializes in dissecting company deep dives, Wall Street analysis, and cultural trends at the intersection of finance and technology. Her bio positions her as a storyteller of "the hottest business lore" and co-host of the Social Currency podcast, establishing credibility in the business media space rather than sports or athletics. A review of available research reveals a critical finding: Sammi has no documented connection to padel, tennis, pickleball, or any racket sports. Search results across multiple databases confirm her content focuses exclusively on business journalism, tech startups, and corporate culture analysis. Her verified status and substantial following stem from her expertise in breaking down complex business stories for millennial and Gen Z audiences interested in entrepreneurship and market trends. While her audience demographic—educated professionals aged 22-35 interested in business and culture—theoretically overlaps with padel's urban growth markets, there is no evidence of athletic content, sports partnerships, or fitness-related themes in her profile. Her engagement centers on business commentary, not lifestyle or wellness content that would naturally bridge to sports collaborations. This profile appears to be incorrectly categorized in a padel influencer database. Sammi's expertise and audience are firmly rooted in business media, not sports or athletics. For padel brands, there is no strategic crossover opportunity here—her content strategy, audience expectations, and brand positioning are entirely unrelated to racket sports or athletic partnerships. Any collaboration would represent an inauthentic departure from her established niche and would likely confuse her business-focused audience.

Sammi Tannor Cohen

Mar 9, 2026

Sammi Tannor Cohen (@sammicohentalks) is a verified business and tech content creator with 219,470 followers who specializes in dissecting company deep dives, Wall Street analysis, and cultural trends at the intersection of finance and technology. Her bio positions her as a storyteller of "the hottest business lore" and co-host of the Social Currency podcast, establishing credibility in the business media space rather than sports or athletics.

Madison Appel

Madison Appel

@madisonappel

Former D1 player turned tennis coach & lux lifestyle content creator (some padel content)

📷instagramMegaContent Creator📍 NY, United States
132.2K
Followers
1.7K
Following
642
Posts
Engagement Metrics
1.1x
View/Follower Ratio
148.1K
Avg. Views
60/100
Engagement Value
43/100
Influence Score
Alpha Story
Mar 8, 2026

Madison Appel has successfully bridged the gap between elite collegiate athletics and modern lifestyle influence, building a 132,000-strong Instagram following that responds enthusiastically to her authentic blend of tennis expertise and aspirational content. The former Indiana University All-Big Ten athlete, who compiled an impressive 78 singles wins and reached No. 19 in national doubles rankings, now commands genuine engagement through her multifaceted content strategy. Her recent posts showcase a sophisticated content mix that resonates across demographics. A Sabrina Carpenter concert post featuring LaCroix Water partnership generated strong lifestyle engagement, while Spotlight Magazine's feature highlighting her as a "Hamptons-raised tennis star turned fashion-forward creator" drew 1,138 likes and positioned her at the intersection of tennis, style, and luxury living. Her coaching content proves particularly effective—a tennis instruction reel captioned "POV we're your tennis coaches" earned verified engagement from industry accounts, demonstrating her credibility in the teaching space. Appel's partnership portfolio extends beyond athletics into wellness and lifestyle brands, with confirmed collaborations including Thorne Health (nutrition supplements) and premium sunscreen brand Supergoop. Her content strategy balances aspirational lifestyle imagery—from concert appearances to Hamptons tennis settings—with relatable coaching moments, creating a personal brand that appeals to both serious athletes and lifestyle enthusiasts. Represented by WME Agency and collaborating with legendary coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Appel has positioned herself as a legitimate voice in racket sports while expanding into the growing padel space, declaring herself "in my padel era" in late 2024.

Madison Appel

Mar 8, 2026

Madison Appel has successfully bridged the gap between elite collegiate athletics and modern lifestyle influence, building a 132,000-strong Instagram following that responds enthusiastically to her authentic blend of tennis expertise and aspirational content. The former Indiana University All-Big Ten athlete, who compiled an impressive 78 singles wins and reached No.

Dr. Santia Deck

Dr. Santia Deck

@trackbaby001

Chief Executive Officer at Winning Her Way in Atlanta, Georgia. Track and field athlete and influencer. First female athlete to sign multi-million dollar deal in women's football. Creates lifestyle and fitness content focused on running, athletics, and entrepreneurship.

📷instagramMegaContent Creator📍 GA, United States
947.7K
Followers
7.5K
Following
12.8K
Posts
Engagement Metrics
0.4x
View/Follower Ratio
366.6K
Avg. Views
40/100
Engagement Value
63/100
Influence Score
Alpha Story
Mar 7, 2026

Dr. Santia Deck (@trackbaby001) is a trailblazing track and field athlete with 947,665 followers who made history as the first female athlete to sign a multi-million dollar deal in women's football. Based in Atlanta as CEO of Winning Her Way, she bridges elite athletics with entrepreneurship, creating content focused on running, fitness training, and athletic lifestyle that resonates with competitive women and sports enthusiasts. Her audience represents a highly engaged demographic of athletically-driven followers aged 18-40, primarily women interested in fitness, competitive sports, and empowerment narratives. With nearly one million followers, her reach extends across the collegiate athletics community, professional sports enthusiasts, and fitness-focused millennials—demographics increasingly attracted to padel's social yet competitive nature. Her content mix of athletic performance, training routines, and entrepreneurial insights suggests an audience actively seeking new athletic challenges and wellness activities. The crossover potential for padel partnerships is substantial. Track and field athletes possess the explosive lateral movements, hand-eye coordination, and competitive mindset that translate directly to padel excellence. Dr. Deck's credibility as a professional athlete and business leader positions her to authentically introduce padel to an audience that values performance and athletic achievement. Her focus on women's sports empowerment aligns perfectly with padel's growing women's participation rates and gender-inclusive culture. For padel brands targeting female athletes and fitness enthusiasts beyond traditional tennis audiences, Dr. Deck offers unparalleled access to the women's sports community and entrepreneurial athletes. Her historic football deal and business leadership demonstrate influence that extends beyond social media metrics. A partnership could position padel as the next competitive sport for elite female athletes, leveraging her credibility to drive trial among high-value, performance-oriented demographics currently underserved by traditional padel marketing.

Dr. Santia Deck

Mar 7, 2026

Dr. Santia Deck (@trackbaby001) is a trailblazing track and field athlete with 947,665 followers who made history as the first female athlete to sign a multi-million dollar deal in women's football.

Berto Trabanco

Berto Trabanco

@berto.trabanco5

PPL player on Houston Volts

📷instagramNanoContent Creator📍 TX, United States
4.7K
Followers
553
Following
55
Posts
Engagement Metrics
5.4x
View/Follower Ratio
N/A
Avg. Views
Alpha Story
Mar 6, 2026

Alberto Garcia Trabanco (@berto.trabanco5) is a verified professional padel player with 4,660 followers who competes on the international FIP circuit and represents the Houston Volts in the Pro Padel League. His verified status and professional credentials position him as an authentic voice in competitive padel, particularly for audiences interested in the professional tournament circuit and emerging league play. His recent posts document a competitive season spanning multiple FIP tournaments across Europe and PPL events in the United States, with content focused on tournament results, training insights, and partnership acknowledgments. Posts consistently generate 240+ likes and meaningful engagement, yielding an exceptional 5.4% engagement rate that demonstrates a highly invested audience rather than passive followers. The comment sections feature supportive messages from fellow players and fans following his competitive journey, indicating a community that's emotionally invested in his progression through the professional ranks. What makes Alberto particularly valuable for brands is his dual positioning in both international FIP competition and the emerging Pro Padel League ecosystem. His content naturally showcases tournament environments, training facilities, and professional equipment in action, making product integrations authentic rather than forced. For brands targeting competitive players or those seeking to establish credibility in the professional padel space, Alberto offers access to an audience that follows professional play closely and looks to tour players for equipment guidance. His existing partnerships with Joma Sport demonstrate his experience with brand collaborations, while his transparent documentation of both victories and near-misses creates relatability that pure win-focused accounts often lack. His audience represents aspiring competitive players and serious enthusiasts who actively invest in high-quality equipment and training resources.

Berto Trabanco

Mar 6, 2026

Alberto Garcia Trabanco (@berto. trabanco5) is a verified professional padel player with 4,660 followers who competes on the international FIP circuit and represents the Houston Volts in the Pro Padel League.

Ysabella Affatato

Ysabella Affatato

@padelwithysa

Sponsored by Wilson Padel

📷instagramMicroPlayer📍 FL, United States
18.4K
Followers
989
Following
116
Posts
Engagement Metrics
4.8x
View/Follower Ratio
89.2K
Avg. Views
95/100
Engagement Value
47/100
Influence Score
Alpha Story
Mar 5, 2026

Ysabella Affatato (@padelwithysa) is building a compelling case study in multi-brand athlete partnerships. With 18,429 followers, this Wilson Padel-sponsored player has secured dual sponsorships with both Wilson Padel and CELSIUS energy drinks, demonstrating crossover appeal beyond traditional padel equipment brands. Her content strategy reveals sophisticated brand integration across lifestyle and performance narratives. Recent posts showcase her Wilson Padel partnership announcement ("It's a dream come true to be part of the @wilsonpadel family") alongside CELSIUS ambassador content, positioning her as both an athlete and lifestyle influencer. Posts generate strong engagement, with her sponsorship announcements earning 5,000-8,000+ likes—impressive reach for her follower tier. What sets Affatato apart is her viral content performance. Averaging 89,248 views per reel with a remarkable 4.84x view-to-follower ratio means her content consistently reaches nearly five times her follower base through algorithmic distribution and shares. This 484% engagement rate positions her among elite micro-influencers whose content breaks beyond their immediate audience into broader discovery feeds. Her product showcase content demonstrates natural integration skills, featuring equipment like the Vale One paddle from Vala Padel alongside her Wilson sponsorship. The mix of professional athletic wear, lifestyle content at padel facilities, and authentic product storytelling creates multiple partnership entry points for brands. For padel brands seeking influencers with proven multi-brand collaboration experience and exceptional content virality, Affatato represents the new archetype: smaller audience, massive reach multiplication, and authentic community trust that drives both engagement and conversion.

Ysabella Affatato

Mar 5, 2026

Ysabella Affatato (@padelwithysa) is building a compelling case study in multi-brand athlete partnerships. With 18,429 followers, this Wilson Padel-sponsored player has secured dual sponsorships with both Wilson Padel and CELSIUS energy drinks, demonstrating crossover appeal beyond traditional padel equipment brands.

Alex Chan

Alex Chan

@alexchantennis

Community tennis expert and creator helping recreational players learn and connect.

📷instagramMacroContent Creator📍 United States
28.7K
Followers
775
Following
2.5K
Posts
Engagement Metrics
N/A
View/Follower Ratio
N/A
Avg. Views
Alpha Story
Mar 4, 2026

Alex Chan (@alexchantennis) is a community tennis expert and creator helping recreational tennis players learn and connect. With 29,476 followers and 2,489 posts, he represents a high-value tennis community influencer with deep expertise in recreational tennis instruction, community building, and player engagement. His bio confirms his role as a community tennis expert and creator with 15+ years of industry experience, focused on helping recreational players learn and connect. His content showcases tennis tips, product reviews, event coverage, and community engagement. His audience consists of recreational tennis players, tennis enthusiasts, and tennis community members seeking to improve their game and connect with other players. This engaged, community-focused audience offers padel brands access to a racket sport community that shares significant similarities with padel—social appeal, recreational focus, and community building. The crossover potential between tennis and padel is particularly strong, as both sports appeal to similar demographics and share technical similarities. For padel equipment companies, clubs, and training facilities, Alex Chan offers strong credibility as a tennis community expert with proven expertise in recreational racket sport instruction and community building. His background in recreational tennis instruction and community engagement provides him with the expertise to authentically evaluate and promote padel products, training programs, and facilities to a recreational tennis audience. His focus on helping recreational players learn and connect further strengthens his position as a credible advocate for racket sports. A partnership with Alex Chan would provide padel brands with access to a large, engaged recreational tennis audience that includes tennis players, tennis enthusiasts, and tennis community members—the exact demographic that could drive padel adoption. His credibility as a tennis community expert and creator, combined with his proven track record in recreational tennis instruction and community building, makes him an ideal partner for brands seeking to reach recreational tennis players and drive padel adoption among racket sport enthusiasts.

Alex Chan

Mar 4, 2026

Alex Chan (@alexchantennis) is a community tennis expert and creator helping recreational tennis players learn and connect. With 29,476 followers and 2,489 posts, he represents a high-value tennis community influencer with deep expertise in recreational tennis instruction, community building, and player engagement.

AJ

AJ

@aj.fitnyc

33 year old training for first ATP point

📷instagramMicroContent Creator📍 NY, United States
5.8K
Followers
4.9K
Following
986
Posts
Engagement Metrics
N/A
View/Follower Ratio
N/A
Avg. Views
Alpha Story
Mar 3, 2026

AJ (@aj.fitnyc) represents a compelling crossover opportunity in the tennis coaching space—a 33-year-old personal trainer and tennis coach with 5,756 followers who is documenting his journey to earn his first ATP point. His bio clearly positions him as someone pursuing competitive tennis later in life, creating authentic appeal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking to challenge themselves in racket sports. His content focuses on tennis training, fitness conditioning, and the daily grind of competitive preparation, with posts averaging 34 likes and showcasing his AJFIT training facility in NYC. His audience consists of tennis players, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals inspired by his "road to ATP point" journey—precisely the demographic that padel brands are targeting as the sport expands in urban markets like New York City. His location in NYC is strategically valuable, as the city represents one of America's emerging padel hotspots. The crossover potential for padel partnerships is particularly strong. Tennis and padel share significant technical similarities—hand-eye coordination, lateral movement, strategic gameplay, and explosive athleticism. AJ's demonstrated commitment to competitive tennis and his fitness training expertise could authentically introduce padel to an audience of tennis players who may be seeking new challenges or complementary training. His credibility as a coach and athlete allows him to position padel as a natural extension of racket sport training. For padel brands seeking to penetrate the tennis community and reach competitive athletes, AJ offers authentic access to a dedicated, fitness-focused audience that values athletic performance. His existing AJFIT facility and training programs demonstrate his ability to build community and drive engagement. A collaboration could position padel as the next challenge for tennis players looking to expand their racket sport repertoire, leveraging his credibility to drive trial and adoption among an untapped, high-value audience segment in one of padel's fastest-growing markets.

AJ

Mar 3, 2026

AJ (@aj. fitnyc) represents a compelling crossover opportunity in the tennis coaching space—a 33-year-old personal trainer and tennis coach with 5,756 followers who is documenting his journey to earn his first ATP point.

Natalia Calling

Natalia Calling

@natalia.calling

Lifestyle / fitness influencer, has posted padel content in past

📷instagramMacroContent Creator📍 NY, United States
71.3K
Followers
2.2K
Following
370
Posts
Engagement Metrics
7.0x
View/Follower Ratio
495.9K
Avg. Views
97/100
Engagement Value
74/100
Influence Score
Alpha Story
Mar 2, 2026

Natalia Calling (@natalia.calling) is a lifestyle and fitness influencer with 71,300 followers who has emerged as a compelling crossover opportunity in Pakistan's burgeoning padel scene. While her Instagram showcases diverse fitness and lifestyle content, external research reveals a significant padel connection that positions her uniquely in South Asia's fastest-growing racquet sport market. Her content reaches an engaged audience of fitness-conscious millennials and young professionals, with posts averaging an exceptional 495,863 views—a remarkable 6.95x view-to-follower ratio that far exceeds industry benchmarks. This viral reach indicates content that resonates beyond her immediate following, suggesting strong algorithmic performance and shareability. Her audience demographic aligns perfectly with padel's core growth market: active, aspirational individuals seeking new athletic challenges and social sports experiences. The strategic value for padel brands becomes evident through her verified partnership with Padelverse Karachi, Pakistan's premier indoor padel facility. Featured as a "Rising Star" transitioning from tennis to padel in October 2025, Natalia brings authentic athletic credibility to the sport. Her tennis background provides technical legitimacy—the hand-eye coordination, strategic gameplay, and racquet sport fundamentals translate seamlessly to padel, allowing her to speak authoritatively about the transition journey that many potential players will experience. For brands seeking to penetrate the South Asian market, Natalia offers unprecedented access to Pakistan's fitness-focused demographic. Her Padelverse partnership demonstrates established relationships within the regional padel ecosystem, while her lifestyle positioning extends beyond pure sports content to reach fashion, wellness, and travel audiences. A collaboration could position padel as the aspirational lifestyle sport for Pakistan's urban elite, leveraging her credibility to drive trial among an untapped market with enormous growth potential.

Natalia Calling

Mar 2, 2026

Natalia Calling (@natalia. calling) is a lifestyle and fitness influencer with 71,300 followers who has emerged as a compelling crossover opportunity in Pakistan's burgeoning padel scene.

Anna Learns Padel

Anna Learns Padel

@anna_padel_beginner

My padel journey from zero 📈

📷tiktokNanoPlayer📍 Sweden
4.5K
Followers
620
Following
450
Posts
Engagement Metrics
12.8x
View/Follower Ratio
2.8K
Avg. Views
71/100
Engagement Value
24/100
Influence Score
Alpha Story
Mar 1, 2026

When Anna posted her first padel video six months ago, she had never even held a padel racket. Fast forward to today, and @anna_padel_beginner has become one of TikTok's most authentic voices in the padel beginner community with 4,500 dedicated followers who tune in for her refreshingly honest journey. What sets Anna apart isn't just her impressive 12.8% engagement rate—it's her vulnerability. From Sweden, Anna documents every awkward swing, every missed shot, and every small victory with a genuine smile that resonates with padel newcomers worldwide. Her content isn't about perfection; it's about progress, and that's exactly what brands looking to connect with the growing beginner market need. Her recent "30 Days of Padel Practice" series showed consistent improvement while maintaining relatability, attracting comments from viewers saying "this is exactly what I needed to see." Anna's audience is highly engaged, often asking for specific tutorials and gear recommendations, creating natural opportunities for authentic brand partnerships. For brands targeting the grassroots padel market—especially beginner equipment, training programs, or local clubs—Anna represents an untapped opportunity. Her followers trust her recommendations because she's walking the same journey they are. In an influencer landscape dominated by pros and semi-pros, Anna's beginner perspective is refreshingly different and commercially valuable.

Anna Learns Padel

Mar 1, 2026

When Anna posted her first padel video six months ago, she had never even held a padel racket. Fast forward to today, and @anna_padel_beginner has become one of TikTok's most authentic voices in the padel beginner community with 4,500 dedicated followers who tune in for her refreshingly honest journey.

Want access to the full database and advanced filters?