The Fastest Growing Sport
ABOUT PADEL
Discover the sport that's taking the world by storm
Introduction
What is Padel?
Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's played on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court, with walls that players can use as part of the game. The sport uses solid paddles instead of strung racquets, and a lower-pressure ball similar to a tennis ball.
Padel is typically played in doubles format, making it a highly social sport. The game is known for being accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, with a shorter learning curve compared to traditional tennis. The enclosed court and smaller size create fast-paced, exciting rallies that keep players engaged.
Why It's Popular
Why Padel is Growing
Social Sport
Played in doubles, padel is perfect for socializing and making new friends while staying active.
Easy to Learn
The smaller court and walls make it easier for beginners to get into the game quickly.
Full Body Workout
Padel provides excellent cardiovascular exercise while improving agility, coordination, and reflexes.
Rapid Growth
With over 25 million players worldwide, padel is one of the fastest-growing sports globally.
Origins
History of Padel
Padel was invented in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico. He wanted to create a sport that could be played in a smaller space than tennis, so he built a court in his backyard with walls. The sport quickly spread to Spain in the 1970s, where it became extremely popular.
Today, Spain has the largest padel community in the world, with thousands of courts and millions of players. The sport has also gained significant traction in Latin America, particularly in Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. In recent years, padel has been expanding rapidly across Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.
The International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded in 1991 to govern and promote the sport worldwide. Professional padel tournaments are now held globally, with the World Padel Tour being one of the most prestigious competitions.
Getting Started
Rules & Equipment
Basic Rules
- Played in doubles format (2 vs 2)
- Serve must be underhand and below waist level
- Ball can bounce off walls after hitting the ground
- Scoring is the same as tennis (15, 30, 40, game)
- Court is 20m x 10m with 3m high walls
Equipment
- Padel Racket: Solid paddle with holes, no strings
- Padel Ball: Similar to tennis ball but with less pressure
- Court: Enclosed with glass and mesh walls
- Net: 88cm high in the center, 92cm at the sides
- Surface: Usually artificial grass or synthetic material
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