What Is Padel and Why Is Everyone Playing It?
Padel is a racket sport typically played in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court. It uses a net and a scoring system similar to tennis, and the walls surrounding the court can be used during play much like in squash.
The sport is easy to learn, highly social, and enjoyable even for beginners.
You don’t need a strong serve or years of experience in racket sports to play. With a racket, three other players, and a basic understanding of the rules, you can start playing a real game quickly.
What Is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court that is divided by a net.
The standard format is doubles, with two players on each side.
Players use a solid racket without strings and a pressurized rubber ball that looks like a tennis ball.
The goal is to hit the ball over the net and make it bounce twice on the opponent's side, or force the other team to make a mistake.
What makes padel unique is the use of the walls.
After the ball bounces on the court, it can hit the surrounding glass walls and stay in play. Players can also use their own back or side walls to return challenging shots.
This leads to longer rallies, unique angles, and a game that focuses on placement, patience, and teamwork.
While power can help, it is rarely enough on its own.
Where Did Padel Come From?
Padel was created in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera.
Corcuera wanted a tennis court at his home but did not have enough space for a full-sized one.
He built a smaller court measuring about 20 by 10 metres and surrounded it with walls to keep the ball from escaping.
These walls eventually became a key part of the game.
Padel later spread to Spain and Argentina, where it gained a large following.
From there, it expanded across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and other parts of the world.
According to the International Padel Federation, the basic 20 by 10 metre layout of Corcuera’s original court remains the foundation of the modern padel court.
What Does a Padel Court Look Like?
A standard doubles padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide.
It is smaller than a tennis court and is enclosed by a combination of glass walls and metal fencing.
A net divides the court into two equal halves.
Each half has two service boxes marked by a service line and a centre line.
The enclosed design is one of the most recognizable features of the sport.
The back walls are usually made of glass, allowing spectators to watch the game while giving players a surface to use during rallies. Metal fencing is typically placed on the sides and upper areas of the enclosure.
Most padel courts use artificial turf, often with sand mixed into the surface to improve movement and control the ball's speed. Courts can be built indoors or outdoors.
How Do You Play Padel?
A padel point starts with an underarm serve.The server stands behind the service line, hits the ball after bouncing it on the ground, and strikes it at or below waist height.The ball must travel diagonally over the net and land in the opposite service box.
The receiving player must let the serve bounce before hitting it back.
After the first return, players can hit the ball either after it bounces once or directly in the air.
During a rally, the ball must land on the opponents' side before it touches their wall or fence.
Once it bounces properly, it can hit the glass or fence and still remain in play.
A team wins the point in the following situations:
- The ball bounces twice on the opponents’ side.
- An opponent hits the ball into the net.
- The ball lands outside the allowed area.
- The ball hits an opponent.
- A player fails to return the ball properly.
- An opponent hits the ball directly into the wall before it bounces on the court.
The rules about the wall may feel strange at first.
However, once you think of the glass as part of the playing area, padel becomes much easier to understand.
Basic Padel Rules Beginners Should Know
Padel Is Usually Played in Doubles
The standard game is played with four players, with two players on each side of the net.
Both partners share the court and can hit the ball during a rally, although they cannot hit it twice before sending it over the net.
The Serve Is Hit Underarm
Unlike tennis, padel does not use an overhead serve.
The server must bounce the ball behind the service line and strike it at or below waist height.
At least one foot must remain on the ground when the ball is hit, and the server cannot step across the service line before making contact.
The Return of Serve Must Bounce
The receiver cannot volley a serve. The ball must bounce in the service box before it is returned.
The Ball Must Bounce Before Hitting the Opponents’ Wall
You cannot simply hit the ball straight into the opponents’ glass wall.
Your shot must first cross the net and bounce within the opponents’ court.
After that bounce, it may hit their glass wall or fence and remain in play.
You Can Use Your Own Glass Wall
After the ball bounces on your side, you can allow it to rebound from your own glass wall before returning it.
You can also deliberately hit the ball against your own glass wall so that it travels over the net, provided the shot is otherwise legal.
Two Bounces End the Point
The ball may only bounce once on your side before you return it.
If it bounces a second time, the opposing team wins the point.
Contact with the glass after the first bounce does not count as a second bounce.
How Does Padel Scoring Work?
Traditional padel scoring is very similar to tennis:
- No points: Love
- First point: 15
- Second point: 30
- Third point: 40
- Fourth point: Game
When both teams reach 40, the score is called deuce. Under the traditional advantage system, one team must win two consecutive points to take the game.
A set is normally won by the first team to reach six games with a lead of at least two games. If the score reaches 6–6, a tie-break is commonly used.
What Equipment Do You Need to Play Padel?
You don’t need a lot of equipment to start playing padel.
All you need is a racket, appropriate balls, comfortable sportswear, and supportive shoes for your first game.
Padel Racket
A padel racket is shorter than a tennis racket and does not have strings.Its solid face has holes that affect the racket’s weight, airflow, and how it feels to use.
Most rackets have an outer frame made from carbon fibre or fiberglass, a foam core, and a hitting surface made of either fiberglass or carbon fibre.
The materials and how the racket is built affect how comfortable it is to use, how much power it gives, how well you can control it, and how long it will last.
Padel Balls
Padel balls look almost the same as tennis balls, but they are made to meet different pressure and rebound standards.
They generally feel slightly less bouncy, which makes it easier to control the ball on the smaller court.
Padel Shoes
Playing padel requires quick stops, turns, and side-to-side movement.
Therefore, your shoes should offer good grip, stability, and support around the sides of your feet.
Running shoes are designed mainly for forward movement and might feel unstable when making sharp changes in direction.
If you plan to play regularly, it’s a good idea to choose shoes specifically made for padel or shoes that are suitable for the court.
Comfortable Sportswear
There is no strict dress code for a casual game of padel.
Just wear breathable sportswear that allows you to move, bend, and turn comfortably.
Padel vs Tennis: What Is the Difference?
Padel and tennis share a net, a similar ball and much of the same scoring language. The experience on court is quite different.
| Feature | Padel | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Typical format | Mainly doubles | Singles or doubles |
| Court | Smaller and enclosed | Larger and open |
| Racket | Solid face without strings | Strung racket |
| Serve | Underarm after a bounce | Usually overhead |
| Walls | Used during rallies | Not part of the game |
| Ball speed | Generally easier to control | Generally faster |
| Playing style | Placement, teamwork and rebounds | Wider range of power and movement |
| Beginner experience | Easier to begin a rally | Serving and stroke technique take longer to develop |
Padel is sometimes referred to as a smaller or simpler version of tennis, but this description doesn't capture the full essence of the game.
Playing the game effectively needs good timing and judgment.
Positioning in doubles play is also crucial because partners must move together, both forward and backward.As players develop their skills, padel evolves into a more strategic game that involves techniques like lobs, volleys, controlled overhead shots, and varying the pace of play.
Is Padel the Same as Pickleball?
Padel and pickleball are different sports.
Both are commonly played on courts smaller than a tennis court and both use solid rackets or paddles. That is where much of the similarity ends.
Pickleball uses a lightweight plastic ball with holes and is played on an open court without playable walls. Padel uses a pressurized rubber ball and an enclosed court where the glass forms part of the rally.
The rackets are also different. A padel racket is thicker, usually has holes in its face and includes a wrist strap. A pickleball paddle is flatter and shaped differently.
The movement, bounce, scoring details and tactics of the two sports create very different playing experiences.
Why Is Padel So Popular?
Padel has attracted people who already play tennis or squash, but much of its growth comes from players who do not have a strong background in racket sports.
Several qualities make it especially appealing.
It Is Easy to Start
The underarm serve is easier for most beginners than a tennis serve.
The smaller court also means players do not have to cover as much ground.
A new player can often learn the basic serve, return and scoring system during the first session.
The game may not look polished yet, but it can still feel like a real match.
Rallies Are Easier to Maintain
Padel is designed around control and continued play.
The court is compact, the serve is less aggressive, and the walls can bring some difficult shots back into the rally.
Longer exchanges give beginners more chances to hit the ball and enjoy the game.
Players spend less time collecting balls and more time taking part in points.
It Is Naturally Social
A standard game brings four people together on a relatively small court.
Partners communicate constantly, and the enclosed space creates a lively atmosphere.
This makes padel well suited to groups of friends, couples, families and company activities.
The social side does not disappear as the level increases; teamwork remains central to the sport.
Control Often Matters More Than Power
A hard shot is not always a good shot in padel.
Hitting too aggressively can send the ball off the glass and give opponents an easier return.
Accurate placement, patience and good positioning often beat raw strength.
This allows players with different body types and athletic backgrounds to enjoy competitive games together.
It Provides a Good Workout
Padel involves short sprints, side-to-side movement, turning, reaching and fast reactions.
A match can support cardiovascular fitness while developing balance, coordination and agility.
Because the game is enjoyable and social, many players find it easier to stay engaged than they would during a repetitive workout.
There Is Plenty of Room to Improve
The basics are accessible, but the skill ceiling is high.
As players gain experience, they learn to read rebounds, take control of the net and choose between defending, lobbing and attacking.
They may also develop padel-specific shots such as the bandeja, vibora and chiquita.
This balance is a major part of the appeal: you can have fun early and still find new challenges years later.
Is Padel Easy for Beginners?
Padel is usually seen as a good option for beginners, especially when compared to other sports that require complex serves or advanced skills to start a rally.
The smaller court size, underhand serve, and doubles format help reduce some of the initial challenges.
A beginner doesn’t have to cover the whole court by themselves, and simple, controlled strokes are often more effective than big, powerful hits.
However, even though it's easy to get started, it's not always easy to become really good at it.
New players often find it difficult to position themselves properly, be patient, and judge the bounce off the walls.
Players coming from tennis may need to adjust their swing to be shorter and avoid trying to hit every shot with maximum power.
The best way to play is to keep the ball in play, communicate well with your partner, and gradually build your understanding of how the walls affect the game.
Ready to Give Padel a Try?
Padel is a great sport to start with because you don’t need a strong serve, advanced skills, or many years of experience to enjoy your first match.
The court is smaller, the game is fun to play with others, and the walls create unique shots that you won’t find in most other racket sports.
There is still a lot to learn.
Improving your positioning, making smarter shot choices, and confidently using the walls can help you keep getting better after your first game.
Find three friends, book a court, and pick a racket that feels good in your hand.
Once you get a few exciting rallies under your belt, you’ll understand why so many people love playing padel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Padel
Can padel be played with two people?
Yes, but standard padel is designed mainly for doubles. Singles games are usually played on a narrower 20 × 6 metre court. Two people can practise on a doubles court, although the extra width makes a competitive singles match more physically demanding.
Can I use a tennis racket to play padel?
No. Tennis rackets are longer and use strings, while padel rackets have a compact solid face. A padel racket also includes a wrist strap for safety inside the enclosed court.
Can I use tennis balls for padel?
A tennis ball may work for an informal practice session, but it will not behave exactly like a padel ball. Proper padel balls are designed for the court size and intended speed of the game.
Can you hit the ball before it bounces?
Yes, you can volley the ball during a rally. The main exception is the return of serve, which must be allowed to bounce before it is hit.
Can the ball hit the fence in padel?
During a rally, the ball can remain in play after bouncing on the court and then hitting the metal fence. The rule is different on the serve: a served ball that lands in the correct box and then touches the metal fence is normally a fault.
Is padel suitable for children and older adults?
Padel can be adapted to different ages and ability levels. The smaller court and doubles format make it accessible, although players should still warm up properly and use suitable footwear and equipment.
How long does a padel match last?
A casual match often lasts around 60 to 90 minutes. The actual time depends on the scoring format, rally length and how evenly matched the teams are.
Do I need lessons before playing padel?
You can enjoy a casual game after learning the basic rules. A beginner lesson can still be helpful because it introduces safe movement, court positioning, grip and the correct way to use the glass.
What is the best padel racket for a beginner?
Most beginners benefit from a round racket with a large sweet spot, low-to-medium balance and manageable weight. This type of racket is generally easier to swing and more forgiving when contact is not perfectly centred.