What is Padel?
Padel is the world's fastest-growing sport - a unique mix of tennis and squash that's easy to learn, incredibly social, and wildly addictive. Here's everything you need to know.
The Short Version
Padel (pronounced "pah-DEL") is a racket sport played on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court. It's always played in doubles, and the walls are in play - meaning you can hit the ball off the glass just like in squash.
Think of it as tennis meets squash, but easier to pick up and way more social. The smaller court and underhand serve mean rallies last longer, and you don't need years of practice to have fun.
Why is Padel So Popular?
Padel has over 25 million players worldwide, with the sport growing explosively in Europe, Latin America, and now North America. Here's why:
Easy to Learn
You can have fun in your first game. The underhand serve and smaller court make it accessible to everyone.
Social by Design
Always doubles. Four friends, one court. The compact space means you're close enough to chat between points.
Longer Rallies
The walls keep the ball in play. Points last longer, which means more action and more exercise.
All Ages & Abilities
Less running than tennis. Kids, grandparents, and everyone in between can play together.
The Court
A padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide - about one-third the size of a tennis court. It's enclosed by walls made of glass and metallic mesh:
- Back walls: 3 meters of glass, topped with 1 meter of mesh
- Side walls: Partially glass, partially mesh
- Net: Similar to tennis, but slightly lower (88cm at center)
The magic is in the walls. When the ball bounces off the glass, it stays in play - opening up angles and shots that don't exist in any other racket sport.
The Equipment
You don't need much to start playing:
- Padel racket: Solid (no strings), made of carbon fiber or fiberglass. Shorter than a tennis racket with a wrist strap.
- Padel balls: Similar to tennis balls but with slightly less pressure for slower, more controlled play.
- Court shoes: Any tennis or court shoes work. Good grip is essential for the quick lateral movements.
Ready to gear up?
Check out our equipment guide for racket recommendations at every budget and skill level.
Browse Padel Rackets →How Scoring Works
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:
- Points: 15, 30, 40, Game
- Deuce at 40-40, need to win by 2
- First to 6 games wins the set (tiebreak at 6-6)
- Best of 3 sets wins the match
If you know tennis scoring, you already know padel scoring.
Where Did Padel Come From?
Padel was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico. He built a court at his home with walls to keep balls from flying into the neighbor's property - and accidentally created a new sport.
The sport spread to Spain in the 1970s, where it exploded in popularity. Today, Spain has over 20,000 padel courts - more than any other country. Argentina is another hotbed, and the sport is now growing rapidly in the UK, Sweden, Italy, and North America.
Padel vs Tennis vs Pickleball
People often ask how padel compares to other racket sports:
| Padel | Tennis | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court Size | 20m x 10m | 23.7m x 10.9m | 13.4m x 6.1m |
| Walls | Yes (glass + mesh) | No | No |
| Racket | Solid, no strings | Strung | Solid paddle |
| Format | Doubles only | Singles or doubles | Singles or doubles |
| Serve | Underhand | Overhand | Underhand |
Want a deeper comparison? Read our Padel vs Pickleball guide
Ready to Try Padel?
The best way to understand padel is to play it. Most people are hooked after their first game - that's why the sport has a 92% retention rate among first-time players.
Find a court near you, grab a racket, and give it a try. You'll see why millions of people around the world are falling in love with this sport.