What is Padel? A Beginner's Guide to the Fastest-Growing Sport

Padel in 30 Seconds

Padel is a racquet sport played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. It's surrounded by glass walls and metal fencing, and the ball can be played off the walls — similar to squash. You use a solid, perforated paddle (no strings) and a depressurized tennis ball. Scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game.

It's the fastest-growing sport in the world. Over 25 million people play padel globally, with rapid expansion across Europe, the Middle East, the US, and Latin America. The reason is simple: padel is easy to learn, intensely social, and fun from your very first game.

Why is Padel So Popular?

• Easy to pick up: Unlike tennis, you don't need months of lessons to enjoy a game. The underhand serve is simple, the court is smaller so you're not chasing balls, and the walls keep rallies going longer. Most beginners can play a decent game within their first hour.
• It's always doubles: Padel is a 2v2 sport. That makes it inherently social. You're always playing with someone, communicating, strategizing. Many players say the social element is what keeps them coming back.
• Great exercise without the grind: A typical padel match burns 400–700 calories per hour. But because rallies are fun and the court is compact, it doesn't feel like exercise. It feels like playing.
• All ages and fitness levels: The smaller court and wall play reduce the physical demands compared to tennis. Kids, adults, and seniors can all play together and have competitive matches.

The Court

A padel court is 10m wide and 20m long, enclosed on all four sides. The back wall is 4m of glass. The side walls are a mix of glass (first 3m from the back) and metal mesh. There's a net in the middle, slightly lower than a tennis net.

The walls are part of the game. The ball can bounce off the back wall and side walls after hitting the ground, and you can play it off the glass like a squash shot. This is what makes padel unique — rallies include angles and rebounds that don't exist in any other racquet sport.

Courts can be indoor or outdoor, and many clubs are built with 3–8 courts side by side. The enclosed design means wind is rarely a factor, even outdoors.

Equipment You Need

• Padel racket (paddle): A solid, stringless racket with a perforated face. They come in three shapes: round (best for beginners — forgiving and easy to control), teardrop (balanced — good all-rounder), and diamond (more power, less control — for advanced players). Expect to spend $50–$150 for a decent beginner racket.
• Padel balls: They look like tennis balls but have slightly less pressure, which makes them bounce lower and slower. Regular tennis balls work in a pinch but the game feels different.
• Court shoes: Any flat-soled sports shoe works. Tennis shoes or indoor court shoes are ideal. Avoid running shoes (too much grip) or basketball shoes (too heavy).
• Comfortable sportswear: Nothing special needed. Shorts/leggings and a breathable top. Some clubs require non-marking soles.

Basic Rules

• Serving: The serve must be underhand. The ball must bounce once on the server's side before being hit at or below waist height. The serve goes diagonally to the opponent's service box, just like tennis. Two attempts per point (first and second serve).
• Scoring: Identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Deuce at 40–40, with advantage required. First to 6 games wins a set (tiebreak at 6–6). Matches are typically best of 3 sets.
• Walls: After the ball bounces on your side, you can play it off the back wall or side wall. You can also hit the ball so it bounces on the opponent's side and then goes over or around the side fence — that's still in play and they must retrieve it (yes, even outside the court if the fence has an opening).
• Net play: You can volley the ball (hit before it bounces) just like tennis. The net is the best position on a padel court — most points are won there.
• Out: If the ball hits the wire mesh or fence on your side before bouncing, it's out. If it hits the glass after bouncing, it's still in play. The ball is out if it goes over the back wall (above the glass) on the full.

Your First Game — What to Expect

If you've never played padel before, here's what to expect in your first session:

The first 10 minutes will feel awkward. The racket has no strings, so the feel is different from tennis or badminton. You'll miss a few shots that bounce off the walls. That's completely normal.

By 20 minutes in, you'll start reading the wall bounces and having actual rallies. Padel rallies last longer than tennis because the walls keep the ball in play, so you'll get plenty of practice quickly.

By the end of your first hour, you'll have a basic serve, can sustain rallies, and will probably be hooked. Most people book their next session before they've left the court.

Beginner Tips

• Start at the baseline: Don't rush to the net in your first games. Get comfortable with groundstrokes and wall play first.
• Let the ball come to you: The most common beginner mistake is lunging at the ball. Because walls keep it in play, you usually have more time than you think.
• Communicate with your partner: Call "mine" and "yours" constantly. Doubles is about teamwork and court coverage, not individual heroics.
• Use the lob: When opponents are at the net, a high lob over their heads and into the back glass is the easiest way to regain position. It's the most useful shot for beginners.
• Have fun: Padel is a social sport. Don't worry about your level — everyone was a beginner once, and the padel community is famously welcoming.

Tournament Formats for Beginners

Once you've played a few games and want to try a tournament, the best format for beginners is Americano. It rotates partners every round, so you play with everyone and nobody is stuck with a struggling partner for the whole event. The individual scoring means your performance is tracked separately, and the short 32-point matches keep the pace fast and forgiving.

Mexicano is also beginner-friendly because the dynamic pairings naturally match players of similar skill after a few rounds. You won't be facing the two strongest players in the group for long — the algorithm moves them up the bracket.