What is Padel? A Beginner's Guide
Padel is a racquet sport that blends elements of tennis and squash into something uniquely fun and social. Played in an enclosed glass court, it has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 25 million players globally and rapid growth in the United States.
How Padel Works
Padel is always played in doubles on a court roughly 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, enclosed by glass walls and metallic mesh. The ball can be played off the walls after bouncing, similar to squash, which keeps rallies going and makes the game incredibly dynamic.
Scoring follows the same system as tennis (15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage). The serve must be underhand and hit below waist height, which eliminates the power-serve advantage that can dominate tennis. This makes padel far more accessible for beginners.
The Court
A padel court is about one-third the size of a tennis court. The back walls are made of glass (3 meters high), with metallic mesh above. Side walls combine glass and mesh. The net is slightly lower than a tennis net. The enclosed design means fewer missed balls and more continuous play.
Equipment
- Racket:Solid (no strings) with a perforated face, typically made of carbon fiber or fiberglass. Shorter and thicker than a tennis racket.
- Balls:Similar to tennis balls but with slightly less internal pressure, making them slower and easier to control.
- Shoes:Court shoes with non-marking soles and good lateral support. Tennis shoes or indoor court shoes work well.
Why Padel is Growing So Fast
- Easy to learn: Most beginners enjoy competitive rallies within their first session.
- Social: Always played in doubles, making it a great group activity.
- Physical but accessible: Good exercise without requiring elite athleticism.
- Fun from day one: The walls keep the ball in play, so points last longer.
- Celebrity backing: Investors like Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and David Beckham are fueling expansion.
Padel vs Tennis
| Feature | Padel | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 20m x 10m (enclosed) | 23.77m x 10.97m (open) |
| Players | Doubles only | Singles or doubles |
| Serve | Underhand | Overhand |
| Walls | Ball can be played off walls | No walls |
| Racket | Solid, no strings | Stringed |
| Learning curve | Gentle | Steep |