Prince William

PRINCE William and Kate are hooked on padel tennis and play fiercely competitive matches with pals, The Sun can reveal.

The couple gave the world’s fastest-growing sport the royal seal of approval after trying it at courts close to their Windsor home.

And the padel-loving pair now regularly play doubles with friends — but on opposite sides.

Wills, 40, and 41-year-old Kate were spotted in recent weeks playing the game at a plush complex with luxury leisure facilities.

The all-action game is a cross between squash and tennis using a solid padel rather than a stringed racquet.

Worldwide, it now has 25 million players, including celebs such as David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Elle Macpherson.

Wills and Kate leave their three children at home as they head off for the 90-minute sessions.

One witness stumbled across the royal pair playing with their pals.

They said: “I had to look twice as it seemed surreal but they were having a great time.

“William was on one team with a male friend and Kate was on the other team with a male friend and there was lots of banter and a lot of laughing but both sides fought every point.

“They looked good at it and did not come across as beginners.”