Modern dating does not have to exclusively mean swiping left and right to match with a potential lover or finding each other’s social media accounts and direct-messaging them.
Some UAE residents, especially those in their 40s and 50s, are opting for more traditional, face-to-face meetings, but with a creative twist. These middle-aged individuals are looking for love on a padel court.
For David, one of the participants in the padel matchmaking event, meeting people in this sort of setting, where first impressions are made on a court in person rather than online, is more relaxing and preferable. Though he doesn’t play the sport himself, he said he came to this event because “it’s not serious; it’s not like a date where you have to sit in front of someone and say boring things”.
In his early 40s, David has been living in the UAE for 12 years. He said that the dating scene in the country is almost a “little global congregation of people,” noting the diverse and multicultural backgrounds of UAE residents.
Getting back to the dating scene after two decades of marriage, David said connecting with people at a padel court is a more “traditional and lovely way of meeting someone. It’s somehow normal.”
He added he prefers in-person meetings, while describing online dating as uncomfortable. “I don’t like putting my picture online and having it stay there,” he said.
Italian expat Irene also shared the same sentiment, saying that she has tried dating apps before, but it almost always ends up in disappointment.
“I’m trying to leave the [dating] app and join this kind of event in person,” she said.
For her, coming to an event such as this meant making meaningful connections, not only in terms of potential romantic relationships but also building friendships.
For Mohammed.S, 44-year-old attendee, it was his third time participating in a matchmaking event. However, he admitted that he prefers more relaxed settings over activity-based events. “I don’t prefer padel, personally. I prefer to be talking when meeting new people,” Mohammed said.
He said that while sports-based matchmaking events serve as icebreakers, they don’t necessarily help in forming deeper connections. “If it didn’t work by matching, at least you enjoyed your time, (maybe) that’s the reason behind it,” he said.
Mohammed discovered the padel event through Instagram and believes that it provides a valuable opportunity for older, busy professionals. “Younger people have universities, gyms, social events and more ways to connect. But for busy, older people, these events are a good fit.”
The padel matchmaking event was organised by Alla Rakhmatullina who has been a “matchmaker” for over a decade. The padel matchmaking began in August 2024 and Alla typically hosts padel matchmaking sessions every Sunday, accommodating 12 participants – six men and six women.
During these sessions, she creates a game schedule where each man teams up with a woman, resulting in a series of six rounds of games. Everyone gets the opportunity to play with each participant. Additionally, there is a major event at the end of the month, allowing between 24 and 38 individuals to join and meet more people for potential matchmaking.
