The Conquer Padel Club leadership team shares a vision for the future of Padel nationwide that brings decades of sports management experience and business development to our clubs.
Our team is the foundation of our player-centered approach and the heart of our brand.
In 2020, Enrique Gracia discovered Padel while living in Mexico, and it was love at first game. The sport was not only incredibly fun. But also a powerful tool for networking and building community.
Fast forward to early 2024. While on a family trip to Phoenix, AZ, Enrique and his wife wanted to play Padel. To their surprise, they found only one court, and it was on private property. That’s when his wife asked, “What if we build a Padel club in the U.S.?” The idea instantly clicked. Enrique recognized the incredible investment opportunity, and within days, he was deep into market research and assembling a team.
To bring the vision to life, he partnered with two seasoned Padel club operators, Liza Riefkohl and Gilberto Cañez. Liza, a former professional tennis and Padel player, owned two successful clubs. While Gilberto had built and operated four. With their combined expertise in club development and operations, the groundwork for the Conquer Padel Club was laid.
As Enrique began spending more time in Arizona, he met Tom Konkowski, a financial expert and sports entrepreneur with a deep passion for emerging sports like pickleball. Tom quickly saw the massive business potential of Padel and joined as a partner. Soon after, the team connected with Barry Falcon, a franchise industry veteran with over 30 years of experience building and scaling brands. Recognizing the opportunity, Barry also became an equity partner, further strengthening the leadership team.
What makes the Conquer Padel Club truly special isn’t just the team. It’s the shared vision and values among investors and partners. Every stakeholder is aligned on the core values that shape Conquer Padel’s future.
A commitment to community, excellence, innovation and growing the sport of Padel in the U.S.
At Conquer, we’re passionate about contributing to this rise. Our clubs are built on a community-centric model, creating spaces that feel warm and welcoming—think of it as your second home. We’re driven by a unified vision and culture, to deliver an exceptional member experience at every turn.
Our name, “Conquer,” isn’t about outdoing others—it’s about embracing a winning mentality to conquer our own goals with full commitment and tireless execution. It’s a call to step beyond our comfort zones, to challenge ourselves, and to inspire others to do the same.
We’re not just building clubs; we’re igniting a movement to break free from screen time, to swap passive scrolling for active, joyful play. Padel is our weapon of choice in this battle—a sport that gets us moving, sharpens our minds, builds resilience, and fosters real connections.
Every match is a step toward a healthier, more vibrant life. Join us in this quest to conquer the couch, one game at a time. Be a part of reshaping the U.S. padel scene while improving people’s well being.
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Enrique Gracia, founder of Conquer Padel, brings a legacy of hard work, innovation, and leadership from his experience growing one of the largest sweet citrus import operations between Mexico and the U.S. Enrique is an avid padel player, and he saw the sport’s potential to thrive in the U.S. and envisioned a brand that would make padel accessible, exciting, and inclusive for players of all levels.
Guided by his vision, Conquer Padel focuses on creating social spaces where people can connect, play, and relax while enjoying thoughtfully designed, high-quality facilities. Enrique’s expertise in scaling international ventures continues to shape the brand’s growth as it expands its franchise network, fosters a love for padel, and empowers franchise owners to succeed.
