Padel is what happens when tennis and squash have a really fun baby.
It's a fast-paced, doubles-only racket sport played on a smaller, walled court where you can smash it off the glass, rally forever, and actually look like you know what you're doing—even if you've never picked up a racket before.
Invented in Mexico, perfected in Spain, and now exploding across the U.S., padel is easy to learn, hard to stop playing, and way more social than your average gym session.
What Is Padel?
Padel is the fastest-growing racket sport in the U.S., and once you try it, you'll understand why. It's like tennis and squash had a baby: easier to learn, insanely fun, and totally addictive.
It's played in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court, where the ball can bounce off glass walls — turning every point into a fast-paced chess match of volleys, angles, and creativity.
Why Is Padel So Popular?
- ✓Easy to pick up: The learning curve is friendlier than tennis or pickleball
- ✓Social by design: Always doubles = always fun
- ✓Accessible: Smaller court, slower ball, more action in less space
- ✓Global buzz: Already huge in Spain, Sweden, and Latin America. Now booming in Miami, Texas, and California
The Padel Court
Dimensions & Design
- 120m x 10m enclosed court (smaller than tennis)
- 2Glass walls on the back and sides
- 3Mesh fencing on the upper sections
- 4Walls are in play (like squash!)
Key Difference
Unlike tennis, the walls are part of the game! You can hit the ball off the glass to create amazing angles and extend rallies. It's like playing in a giant fishbowl of fun.
How Is Padel Played?
Scoring: Just like tennis (15–30–40–game)
Serving: You serve underhand and diagonally
Wall Play: The ball must bounce once before hitting a wall
Strategy: You can use the walls after the bounce (like squash)
Pace: Games are fast, strategic, and full of highlight-worthy plays
What You Need to Play
A Padel Racket
Solid with holes for aerodynamics - no strings! They're shorter and thicker than tennis rackets.
Padel Balls
Look like tennis balls but with less pressure, so they bounce lower and move slower.
Court Shoes
Ideally designed for turf or padel courts with good grip for quick lateral movements and direction changes.
A Partner
Always doubles. Always fun. Padel is built for social play and teamwork.
Fun Fact
Padel was invented in Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera who just wanted to play tennis in his backyard. He built walls around his court to keep the ball from flying into his neighbor's garden. Little did he know he was creating the world's most addictive racket sport!
Padel by the Numbers
Players Worldwide
Countries Playing
Fastest Growing Sport
Final Thoughts
Padel isn't just another racket sport. It's a movement — accessible, fast, social, and surprisingly strategic. Whether you're a lifelong athlete or total beginner, there's something in padel for everyone.
The combination of tennis-like scoring, squash-like wall play, and mandatory doubles format creates a unique experience that's both competitive and social. The smaller court size means less running but more strategy, making it accessible to players of all fitness levels while still providing an excellent workout.