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Padel is a racquet sport combining elements of tennis and squash. Played in doubles on an enclosed glass-and-mesh court, the walls are integral to the game — creating unique strategic opportunities found in no other sport.
Unlike tennis, padel uses underarm serving and scores the same way — but glass walls transform every match into a tactical chess game where angles and rebounds replace raw power.
Padel's smaller court and slower pace make it one of the most accessible racquet sports for all ages and fitness levels, yet deeply rewarding at elite level.
From a Mexican beach to the world stage - the remarkable journey of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
Enrique Corcuera invents padel on his estate, modifying a tennis court to fit existing walls and establishing the foundational rules.
Alfonso de Hohenlohe-Langenburg discovers padel in Mexico and builds the first courts in Spain at his Marbella Club.
Spain hosts the inaugural Padel World Championship, establishing padel as a formally governed international sport.
The professional World Padel Tour brings structure, television coverage, and sponsorship to elite padel globally.
Padel surpasses tennis as the most popular racquet sport in Spain and expands rapidly across Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
25 million players across 90+ countries. Premier Padel becomes the flagship professional tour with global media deals and Olympic ambitions.
Padel follows clear, elegant rules that blend familiarity with unique mechanics.
Same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Matches are best of three sets, each requiring 6 games with a tie-break at 6–6.
The server stands behind the service line and strikes the ball at or below waist height — bounced, then hit underarm. No overhead serves.
After bouncing once, a ball may be played off any wall before returning over the net. This is the defining strategic element of padel.
Net measures 88cm at center, 92cm at posts. The ball must clear the net on every shot; touching it ends the point.
If the ball exits through an opening, it may still be played if it returns inside — a spectacular rule unique to padel.
Padel is almost exclusively played in doubles. The court and rules are designed specifically for four players.
Every dimension of the padel court is refined to create the sport's perfect balance of attack and defense.
From reliable basics to advanced wall play, padel rewards a broad technical toolkit.
The foundational stroke. Keep the racket face flat, contact the ball at waist height, and follow through toward your target.
Mirror of the forehand. Two-handed grip recommended for beginners for added stability and shoulder rotation.
A high, arcing shot that pushes opponents back. Essential for survival when at the net. Aim for the back glass.
Struck before the ball bounces. Requires quick reactions and compact swing. Dominating the net wins points.
A controlled overhead played with a flat face. Used to maintain net pressure without giving opponents a lob opportunity.
An aggressive overhead with sidespin. Creates a low-bouncing shot that kicks off the back wall unpredictably.
A low, fast cross-court shot near the net. Designed to rush opponents and prevent them from setting up at the net.
Using back and side walls intentionally to retrieve difficult shots and reposition — the backbone of padel defense.
The elite overhead: intentionally hit off the back glass (x3) or side+back (x4) to create unreturnable angles.
Attacking a high ball as it drops off the back wall, before it lands a second time — converting defense into offense.
Deceptive wrist shots that disguise direction until the last instant. The gancho hooks sharply cross-court.
Exiting the court through the door to play a ball that has left the enclosure. Rare, spectacular, and technically legal.
Padel equipment is purpose-built for the sport's unique demands. Choosing the right gear influences your game significantly.
A solid, perforated frame with no strings. Available in round (control), diamond (power), and teardrop (balanced) shapes.
EssentialSimilar to a tennis ball but slightly smaller with lower internal pressure, creating a slower, more controlled bounce.
EssentialPadel-specific shoes with herringbone grip patterns for lateral movement on artificial grass. Never use running shoes.
EssentialOvergrip tape for sweat absorption and comfort. Grip thickness affects shot precision — a highly personal choice.
RecommendedPolycarbonate lenses protect against the ball and racket on the enclosed court. Required at many clubs worldwide.
RecommendedJump straight to the cities with the most clubs, or pick a location that already has a booking link available.
Absolutely. Padel has one of the shortest learning curves of any racquet sport. Most beginners can rally and enjoy a game within their first session. The enclosed court means less time chasing balls, and the underarm serve removes tennis's most difficult technical barrier.
While both use solid paddles, padel uses a pressurised ball on a much larger enclosed court with glass walls integral to play. Pickleball uses a plastic wiffle ball on a smaller court with no walls. Padel is played almost exclusively in doubles; pickleball has a thriving singles scene.
Padel is designed as a doubles sport requiring four players. While singles is technically possible, the court dimensions and glass wall mechanics are designed specifically for doubles. Most venues and all professional tournaments exclusively host doubles play.
Round-shaped rackets are universally recommended for beginners. They have a large sweet spot low in the frame, providing maximum forgiveness on off-centre hits. As technique develops, players typically migrate toward teardrop shapes for a blend of power and control.
A standard best-of-three-sets match typically lasts 60–90 minutes at recreational level. Professional matches can extend to two hours. The doubles format and enclosed court keep rallies engaging and the pace brisk compared to tennis.
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