Jimmy Butler and Owen Wilson headline celebrity night at New York padel event originally appeared on The Sporting News
With New York in full tennis mode during the US Open, another sport took the spotlight across town at Hudson Yards. Reserve Padel hosted a special exhibition on Saturday, Sept. 6 that featured a mix of legends, athletes, and Hollywood stars.
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Two-time US Open champion Patrick Rafter faced off against former world No. 1 Juan Martín Díaz in front of a packed house at Reserve’s flagship club. The match drew plenty of attention, but it was Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler who became the center of the evening. Butler, a longtime padel fan and chairman of the Reserve Cup, took in the action courtside before joining the players on court for a few rallies. He paired with Reserve founder and CEO Wayne Boich, entertaining fans who had been calling for him to get involved.
Jose Carlos Gaspar and Patrick Rafter play during the Reserve Padel Exhibition Match at Reserve Padel NYC on September 06, 2025 in New York City.
Photo by Bryan Bedder: Getty Images for Reserve
The celebrity presence extended beyond the baseline. Actor Owen Wilson, known for his affinity for racket sports, watched from the stands after playing with Díaz the day before. Wilson spent more than an hour and a half on court with Diaz – who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Wilson’s appearance at the match underlines how padel is attracting more and more high-profile names from both sports and entertainment.
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They were not alone. Former Boston Celtics co-owner Jim Pallotta and current co-owner Bruce Beal joined Equinox Group executive Harvey Spevak and TV personality Bianca Peters among the guests. NHL great Tie Domi, who still holds the record for most fights in league history, brought his signature energy to the sidelines. At one point, Domi joked with Butler that he could beat him at padel, drawing laughs from those nearby.
Back in July, actor Tom Holland lent his star power to a padel event held in London, UK. This weekend proved to be another showcase for the sport’s growing popularity in the US. With stars from different worlds converging on Reserve Padel, the exhibition added to the momentum building for a sport many expect to keep rising in profile.
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