There is a certain poetry in a journey that begins in one place and finds its truest expression somewhere else, across waters, under a different sky. For Nabella Chance, Bali has become the stage for a remarkable evolution. Raised in Surabaya, a city pulsing with life and contrasts, she found her athletic identity not in its bustling streets but in the tranquil beauty of Bali, where her passion for padel took root. The island, known more for its idyllic beaches than for its competitive courts, has become her athletic training ground, and it’s here that her star has begun to rise.
Nabella’s love affair with padel began just one year ago, yet in that brief span of time, she has achieved what few have. Moving rapidly through the ranks, she now stands at the silver level, a feat that astonishes those around her. But Nabella’s ascent has been about more than mastering a sport. It has been about transforming herself—honing not only her skills but also her mental strength, her resilience, and her understanding of the game as a living, breathing art form.
Her long-time coaches (Nabella trains with at least 3 coaches on a weekly basis), speaks of her development with a mixture of pride and awe. “Nabella has an almost intuitive grasp of the game,” they reflect in unison. “What’s most striking about her isn’t just her physical prowess, which is impressive, but her ability to see padel as a chess game, where every shot is a calculated move. Her rapid rise is no accident—it’s the result of a deep, almost philosophical dedication to understanding the sport at every level.”
Her recent triumph at the Jungle Padel tournament solidified her status as one of Bali’s brightest prospects. Against a competitive field, Nabella’s performance left the audience captivated. From her sharp, slicing serves to the masterful execution of her vivoras, she played with a fluidity and precision that spoke to countless hours of dedication. But it was her bandejas that truly mesmerized. In the final, with the match hanging in the balance, Nabella unleashed a perfectly timed bandeja that sent the ball spinning into the corner of the court, sealing a crucial point and shifting the momentum irreversibly in her, and her partner’s, favour.
“It was a breathtaking moment,” says an anonymous source from The International Padel Federation (FIP). “She plays with a rare combination of power and finesse. Her technique is impeccable, but it’s the control over the pace and rhythm of the match that really sets her apart. You could see her outthinking her opponents, not just outplaying them.”
For Nabella, the victory at Jungle Padel was both a culmination and a beginning. It confirmed what her closest supporters have long known—that she is a player with the potential for greatness. Yet, in her typical humble fashion, she views it as just one step along a much longer path. Her ambitions stretch far beyond Bali, or even Indonesia. She dreams of reaching gold level, but her aspirations do not stop there.
“I’m driven by the idea of constantly pushing my limits,” Nabella says when asked about her future plans. “I want to reach gold, but more than that, I want to be ready when padel becomes an Olympic sport. To represent Indonesia on that stage would be the greatest honor of my life. The Olympics may be a few years away, but I’m preparing myself now, step by step, to be there when the time comes.”
Her words are filled with the kind of quiet determination that defines champions, those who are always thinking not just about their next match but about the future, about legacy. Bali has given her the space to grow, but it is clear that her vision extends far beyond the island’s shores.
As Bali’s padel community watches her rapid rise, it’s clear that Nabella is not only inspiring others but setting a new standard for what can be achieved in the sport. Her story, from the courts of Bali to the international stage she one day hopes to grace, is still being written. But what is certain is that this Surabaya-raised talent has no intention of slowing down.
For now, the silver level is her domain, but it is only a temporary stop on a journey that promises to take her even higher. With her eyes set on the Olympics and her heart committed to mastering every nuance of padel, Nabella Chance is poised to become not just a national treasure, but a global sensation.
In a world where success often demands speed and spectacle, Nabella offers a different model: one of thoughtful progression, of strategy and passion interwoven. The courts of Bali have witnessed the rise of a true talent, one who plays not just with skill, but with a grace that transcends the game itself. As she continues her ascent, one thing is clear—this is just the beginning of a journey that could one day make her an Olympian, and a legend in the world of padel.
In a world where success often demands speed and spectacle, Nabella offers a different model: one of thoughtful progression, of strategy and passion interwoven. The courts of Bali have witnessed the rise of a true talent, one who plays not just with skill, but with a grace that transcends the game itself. As she continues her ascent, one thing is clear—this is just the beginning of a journey that could one day make her an Olympian, and a legend in the world of padel.
