Hansie Ruddick

Quick-fire facts

• Place of birth: Poole, Dorset
• Lives: Madrid
• Trains: Madrid, Club 2.0
• Hobbies / interests: sport, languages, travelling
• Padel idol: Alejandro Galán
• Favourite tournament: World Padel Championships
• Best opponent faced: Virginia Riera
• Biggest title of career: Madrid Team Championship 2021
• Doubles partner: Ana Cristina Sánchez Pérez

Padel beginnings

Ruddick came to padel in her 20s after moving to live in Madrid. A friend of hers needed one more player to make up a four and knew that she used to play tennis and he invited me along - from there, she was hooked. 

She was particularly drawn to the atmosphere around the sport and the inclusive, team aspect to playing and competing.

After getting a few good wins under her belt against players that were professional she decided to take the leap and make the next step to go pro herself.

Favourite moments

Ruddick's favourite memory on court was getting to play in the main draw of the World Padel Tour event in Albacete in 2021 having come through the preliminary rounds. In her third qualifying match she found herself 1-6 down after the first set with all the momentum against them, but quickly turned it around to win the match 1-6, 6-1, 6-1 to make it through to her first main draw.

Off-court

Ever since moving to Madrid, Ruddick has become obsessed with learning new languages and is currently learning her ninth different language.