Padel, one of the fastest-growing Racket Sports in the world,  is Booming, and coming soon to the US in a big way. Padel (sometimes called pádel or "paddle" in certain regions) is easy to learn, intensely social, and masterfully combines the best elements of tennis and squash into a dynamic doubles game that’s highly accessible to players of all ages and abilities.

This authoritative guide provides everything you need to know: history, official court dimensions, equipment requirements, how the game is played and scored, global growth trends, fitness considerations, and how to start playing padel today.

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1. Origins of Padel: A Short History of the Modern Racket Sport

The sport's modern form began in 1969 with Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera. Corcuera adapted a private tennis court at his Acapulco home by enclosing it with walls, giving birth to a dynamic new game that borrowed rules from platform tennis, squash, and tennis.

By the mid-1970s, the sport was introduced to Spain (via the social circles of Marbella) and quickly spread to Argentina, where it experienced an explosion in popularity. Spain and Argentina remain the global epicentres for padel culture, court construction, and professional players.

Key Padel Historical Milestones:

• 1969: Enrique Corcuera builds the first adapted padel court in Acapulco, Mexico.

• 1970s: The sport is introduced and experiences rapid, grassroots growth in Spain and Argentina.

• 21st Century: Rapid global expansion leads to the formation of national padel federations, structured international competitions, and significant commercial investment.

2. The Padel Court: Official Dimensions and Walls Explained

A regulation padel court is a rectangle measuring 20 meters long by 10 meters wide, divided by a central net. The enclosed walls—typically a combination of glass panels and metal mesh—are arguably the most distinctive feature and are integral to the game.

Understanding Padel Court Specifications

• Dimensions: 20m × 10m (200 m²). The compact size is key to its high utilization and urban adaptability.

• Net Height: Approximately 0.88 meters at the center.

• Walls: The back and lower side walls are usually glass, while the upper sections or remaining sides are metal mesh. Balls rebounding off these surfaces remain in play.

• Surface: Most professional courts utilize artificial turf with sand infill, designed to offer consistent bounce and reliable grip for quick lateral movements.

• Service Area: Clearly marked service box lines define the service zones, with a center line for alignment.

3. Padel Equipment Guide: Rackets, Balls, and Footwear

Playing padel requires specialized gear, distinct from tennis, pickleball or squash equipment.

Padel Rackets (Paddles)

• Design: The rackets (often called paddles) are solid, stringless, and constructed from composite materials (carbon fibre, fibreglass, foam core).

• Hitting Surface: Features a perforated surface to reduce air resistance.

• Types: Rackets vary in shape (round for control, teardrop for balance, diamond for power), weight, and balance point, allowing players to choose based on their preferred style of play.

Padel Balls

• Pressure: Padel balls closely resemble tennis balls but are intentionally played at a lower internal pressure.

• Bounce: This lower pressure results in a slightly slower ball speed and reduced bounce, making the ball more suited for the enclosed padel court environment and promoting longer, more controlled rallies.

Footwear and Apparel

• Padel Shoes: Players must use court shoes designed for lateral support and excellent grip. Look for nonslip soles specifically engineered for artificial turf or hard courts to prevent common ankle and knee injuries.

• Apparel: Breathable, flexible sports clothing that accommodates abrupt, lateral movements is recommended.

4. Padel Rules for Beginners: Serving and Scoring

Padel borrows its scoring mechanism from tennis but introduces unique rules that define the flow and strategy of the game.

Starting the Game and The Underarm Serve

• Format: Padel is overwhelmingly played as doubles (two players per side).

• The Serve: A crucial distinction is the mandatory underarm serve, which must be hit below waist level.

• Service Mechanics: The serve must bounce once on the server's side before being struck and must land in the opponent’s diagonal service box.

• Wall Rebound: The returning team is allowed to strike the ball directly or after it rebounds off the wall(s) of their side.

Rallies and Hitting Off the Walls

• Wall Play: After the initial bounce, the ball may rebound from the glass or mesh walls and remain in play. This wall play introduces a powerful tactical element similar to squash.

• Loss of Point: A point is lost if the ball bounces twice on one side, if the ball hits the mesh before bouncing on the floor, or if the ball hits the net and fails to clear it.

Scoring

• Tennis Scoring: Standard tennis scoring is used: 15, 30, 40, Game.

• Match Format: Matches are typically the best of three sets, with sets decided by winning 6 games (and usually a tiebreak if scores reach 6-6).

5. Padel Tactics: Strategy and Key Differences from Tennis

Padel is a game of angles, placement, and teamwork, where strategy often beats power. Because the surrounding walls are playable, the game heavily rewards:

• Net Dominance: Controlling the net area is critical for dictating the pace and angle of the point.

• Using Angles and Walls: Players are constantly utilizing the walls to force awkward returns and create openings at the net.

• Teamwork: Coordinated movement and communication are paramount in the compact doubles format.

The learning curve for padel is generally quicker than tennis for beginners, as the smaller court and doubles format reduce the amount of physical court coverage needed, leading to fast-paced, social rallies right away.

6. Global Padel Growth: Popularity and Player Demographics

Padel has transitioned from a localized hobby to a global phenomenon. It is an established giant in Spain (a worldwide epicentre) and Argentina, and its expansion is explosive across Europe (Sweden, Italy, Portugal), the United Kingdom, and the Middle East (UAE).

• Participation Surge: National federations worldwide report dramatic growth. The recent expansion in the UK saw adult and junior participation rise from just a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of players in a short few years.

• Commercial Viability: The compact court footprint aids commercial growth, allowing clubs to maximize court utilization in urban sports centers.

Typical Padel Player Profile

• Broad Appeal: The sport successfully attracts a broad demographic, with a strong presence among adults aged 20–50.

• Inclusivity: Many clubs report near parity in participation between male and female players and strong uptake among social, recreational groups.

• Accessibility: Its forgiving nature makes it an appealing entry point into racket sports for individuals of all fitness and experience levels.

7. Padel and Fitness: Health Benefits and Injury Prevention

Padel Health Benefits

Padel is an excellent total-body workout that significantly improves:

• Cardiovascular Fitness

• Agility and Footwork

• Hand-Eye Coordination

• Reaction Time

Because rallies are short and the format is doubles-centric, it's accessible for a broad fitness base, making it a sustainable activity.

Common Padel Injuries and Safety Tips

Like any racket sport, consistent play can lead to overuse injuries.

• Common Injuries: Strains, ankle sprains (from abrupt lateral stops), and tendinopathies (shoulder or elbow overuse) can occur.

• Prevention: Proper warm-ups, regular conditioning, and, crucially, high-quality, supportive padel-specific footwear are vital to minimize the risk of sprains.

• Safety: The enclosed court means fast exchanges are common; eye protection is recommended for competitive play.

8. The Professional Padel Scene: Tours and Tournaments

The professional side of padel is highly organized and rapidly evolving. Structured circuits (like the World Padel Tour) and new high-profile, commercially backed events (like the Hexagon Cup) have increased prize money, media coverage, and spectator engagement. The professional ecosystem is critical to building a global fandom and driving growth into new markets.

9. How to Start Playing Padel Today: Equipment and Lessons

Ready to join the boom? Getting started with padel is simple:

1. Find a Local Padel Club: Search for courts or clubs in your area. Most offer beginner clinics and introductory sessions.

2. Try Before You Buy: Borrow or rent a padel racket initially; most clubs will lend demo gear or offer rentals.

3. Take a Lesson: Invest in a group or private lesson to quickly grasp the underarm serving rules, the key tactical element of wall play, and basic doubles positioning.

4. Invest in Footwear: Wear shoes with excellent lateral support and grip.

5. Upgrade Equipment: As you improve, you can upgrade your padel racket. Choose one based on your evolving style (control or power) and ask your coach for specific recommendations.

10. Conclusion: Why Padel is the Fastest-Growing Racket Sport

Padel’s unique blend of accessible, social doubles play, fast-paced rallies, and forgiving technique requirements, combined with its highly efficient and compact court design, makes it uniquely positioned for its current global boom.

Whether you are a seasoned tennis player looking for a fresh challenge, a sports club owner assessing new court builds, or simply a newcomer seeking a fun, accessible sport, padel offers a compelling mix of fitness, community, and strategy.