Stormzy swaps a microphone for a racket as British rapper leaves fans baffled by playing Padel with forgotten Premier League star

British rapper Stormzy left fans scratching their heads after a baffling link-up with a forgotten Premier League footballer for a game of padel. 

There are over 300 padel courts in the UK and it appears the Vossi Bop and Big For Your Boots star is a convert.

Stormzy was pictured all smiles on Instagram after a recent doubles game, where fans quickly spotted a Premier League midfielder in the back.

Along with two other guys – Ryan Whitehouse and a performance coach by the name of ‘Seany P’ – Stormzy’s unlikely tie-up with the midfielder, who is on loan in the Championship caught the eye.

‘What in the multiverse…’ one fan posted. 

The footballer in question is that of Newcastle United‘s Jeff Hendrick, who is currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday on loan.  

‘Just Jeff Hendrick and Stormzy playing paddle ball together,’ one Newcastle fan posted.

‘No wonder Jeff Hendrick is nowhere near Sheffield Wednesday’s match day squads he’s too busy playing Padel Tennis with Stormzy,’ a Wednesday fan added.

‘Jeff Hendrick and Stormzy playing padel together isn’t something I expected to hear about of a Monday morning,’ a third said. 

Social media was left confused by the tie up, particularly with Hendrick sidelined with injury

The caption on the image – posted by coach ‘Shauny P’ – detailed how Hendrick claimed to suggest he had ‘never played’ padel before. 

‘Padel is mental!’ the post began. ‘Some buzz with the lads. I’m f***ing fuming. Never lose always learn and all that yeah.’

Padel is viewed as a mix between tennis and squad and is largely a doubles game.

Matches are played on smaller tennis courts with glass walls surrounding it – much like squash – and a net dividing both sides, like tennis. 

Hendrick joined Newcastle in 2020 but found opportunities difficult to come by, so much so that he’s previously been out on loan with Queens Park Rangers and Reading, prior to his latest loan at Hillsborough.