Just a few years ago, padel was known mainly in Spain and Argentina. Today, it has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, attracting professional athletes, celebrities, and recreational players alike. New courts are opening across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, while the number of players continues to grow every year. In this article, we’ll explain what padel is, how it differs from tennis, and why it’s gaining popularity so quickly.
What Is Padel?
The name “padel” comes from the English word paddle. It is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Matches are played on a dedicated 20 × 10 m padel court surrounded by glass and metal walls. Once the ball has bounced on the court, it may rebound off the walls and remain in play, making rallies longer and more dynamic.
Padel is usually played in doubles, with two players on each team. The game uses solid, stringless rackets with perforated faces, along with balls that look similar to tennis balls.
Padel balls have lower internal pressure than standard tennis balls, making the game slower and easier to control. Image: magnific.com.
Padel was invented in Mexico in 1969 by businessman Enrique Corcuera. Because he had limited space on his property, he built a court that was smaller than a tennis court and added surrounding walls to keep the ball from leaving the playing area. What started as a practical solution eventually evolved into a sport of its own.
How Is Padel Different from Tennis and Squash?
Padel looks similar to tennis or squash, yet the differences are quite significant.
| Feature | Padel | Tennis | Squash |
| Court | Enclosed court with walls | Open court without walls | Indoor court |
| Format | Doubles (2 vs 2) | Singles or doubles | Singles |
| Racket | Solid, stringless | Strung | Smaller strung |
| Serve | Underhand | Overhand | No specific serving style |
| Difficulty | Low | High | Moderate |
While tennis often requires considerable time to master stroke technique, beginners in padel can enjoy engaging rallies after just a few practice sessions.
What Do You Need to Play?
One of the reasons padel has become so popular is how easy it is to get started. To play, you’ll need:
- a padel racket;
- sportswear;
- comfortable shoes with good grip;
- padel balls;
- access to a padel court.
Most padel clubs also offer equipment rental, allowing newcomers to try the sport without investing in their own gear.
Why Is Padel Becoming So Popular?
Beyond its accessibility, padel attracts players for several other reasons.
- A combination of cardio and coordination. The game engages multiple muscle groups while improving endurance, agility, coordination, and reaction time.
- A social format. Since padel is typically played in doubles, it’s an excellent activity to enjoy with friends, colleagues, or family.
- Cross-training for athletes. Padel helps maintain fitness, improve coordination, and add variety to training routines.
- Exciting gameplay. Because the walls remain in play, rallies are longer and more dynamic, making matches entertaining for both players and spectators.
- Celebrity appeal. Sports stars such as David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, and Cristiano Ronaldo regularly play padel. Their enthusiasm for the sport, along with investments in new courts, has helped introduce padel to an even wider global audience.
Its combination of accessibility, physical activity, and teamwork explains why padel continues to grow in popularity around the world. For more articles on active lifestyles and the latest sports news, visit the IKS blog.
