A New Era for Women’s Padel
Miami is quickly becoming the heartbeat of women’s padel in the United States, thanks to the vision and drive of Andi Neugarten-Maio. As the founder of 6LoveSports and the Miami Women’s Padel League, Andi is leading a movement that empowers women through sports, connection, and community. In this exclusive interview with The Padel Weekly, Andi shared her journey, passion, and plans for growing women’s padel.
Falling in Love with Padel
A lifelong athlete, Andi’s journey began with tennis at the age of five. She competed as a junior before stepping away to focus on academics. Years later, she found herself back in sports as a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete. But it was padel that captured her heart.
“I became completely addicted (to padel). I wanted more and more and more,”
After moving to Miami, Andi heard about padel and decided to try it. “I thought I should be good. I can hit a ball. I have hand-eye coordination,” she said. But getting into the sport wasn’t as easy as expected. Finding courts, lessons, and partners proved challenging.
Determined, Andi took her first lesson at Ultra Padel and was instantly hooked. “I became completely addicted. I wanted more and more and more,” she said. Her passion for the sport ultimately led her to launch 6LoveSports, an organization dedicated to growing women’s participation in padel.
Why Miami?
Miami’s vibrant and diverse culture made it the perfect location for Andi’s vision. “Miami has one of the highest concentrations of padel players in the U.S. and some of the best coaches in the world,” she said. “There’s always a match happening somewhere.”
“The energy here is unmatched.”
What started as a personal move for family and lifestyle quickly evolved into a thriving padel community. “We came for the boating, but Miami turned out to be the ideal place for padel,” Andi said. “The energy here is unmatched.”
The Structure of the League
The Miami Women’s Padel League is organized into four teams—Bandeja Babes, Bandjatters, Team Viboras, and 30 Lovers—each with advanced, high-intermediate, and intermediate divisions. Captains oversee the teams, ensuring fair matchups and strong competition.
Matches are held weekly, with points awarded for sets and matches won. Pro exhibitions are also planned throughout the season to inspire and engage players.
Expanding the Vision
With Miami as its base, 6LoveSports already has plans to expand to other U.S. cities in early 2025. “We’re showing proof of concept with this first league,” Andi said. “The excitement and involvement show that this model works, and we’re ready to grow.”
Overcoming Challenges and Advocating for Equality
Despite the rapid growth, Andi acknowledges the challenges women face in padel, including fewer tournaments and unequal prize money compared to men’s competitions.
“There are as many women playing padel, but they’re not entering tournaments as often,” Andi said. “We need to raise awareness and push for equality—prize money for women has to match what men are earning.”
What’s Next for 6LoveSports?
The future looks bright for 6LoveSports. Upcoming plans include:
- Turning league nights into events with food trucks, vendors, and entertainment.
- Hosting a women’s tournament at Racket X in Miami Beach.
- Bringing top female pros to Miami for clinics, training sessions, and private lessons.
Andi’s goal is to keep building excitement, community, and opportunities for women in padel, both in Miami and across the U.S.
Final Thoughts
Andi Neugarten-Maio and 6LoveSports are more than just creating a league—they’re building a movement. By empowering women, fostering connections, and advocating for equality, they’re shaping the future of women’s padel.
To learn more about 6LoveSports and the Miami Women’s Padel League, visit 6LoveSports.com or follow them on Instagram @6lovesports.
