A new padel tennis centre could arrive at Harrogate's Hornbeam Park as popularity for the sport grows.

With more than 6.000 padel players in the UK, according to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the sport is one of the fastest growing in the country.

Plans have been submitted for a new six-court padel centre in one of Hornbeam's new developments.

If planning is approved a new "boutique" gym will also open on the ground floor of the Matrix building with the padel courts on the first floor.

The building is currently empty but if planning is approved it could see the site transformed.

Here are ten facts you might not know about padel tennis, from the LTA:

• Lionel Messi has a padel court in his garden


• Padel was invented in Mexico in the 1960s


• It is played in doubles


• Padel rules are similar to tennis – but you serve underarm


• It’s the second-most-popular sport in Spain


• Jamie Murray has played in a professional padel tournament


• Padel balls are smaller than tennis balls


• Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plays the game to discuss ideas with his coaches


• There are more than 6,000 padel players in the UK


• It may not be an Olympic sport yet but campaigns are underway to make it one

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