Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, combining the best parts of tennis, squash & pickleball into a fun, fast & social game. It’s easy to learn, enjoyable for all ages, & perfect for players who want a mix of strategy, teamwork & fast-paced rallies.
Whether you’ve never heard of it or you’ve seen it booming across Europe & beyond, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
⭐ 1. The Basics: What Exactly Is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a tennis court. The court is surrounded by glass walls & mesh fencing, which the ball can bounce off — making rallies longer & more exciting.
It’s typically played with:
- A solid racket (no strings)
- A low-compression tennis-style ball
- Two-player teams
- Underarm serves
The mix of walls, teamwork & simplicity makes Padel extremely beginner-friendly.
⭐ 2. How Padel Works
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:
15 – 30 – 40 – game.
Matches are usually best of three sets, with six games per set.
The main differences from tennis:
- You must serve underarm
- The ball can hit the glass walls after bouncing
- Doubles is the standard — singles exists but is rare
- The rackets are solid with drilled holes instead of strings
Padel is less about brute strength & more about strategy, positioning & teamwork.
⭐ 3. The Court: Your First Look
A Padel court features:
- Glass back walls for defensive play
- Side walls made of glass & metal mesh
- A centre net similar to tennis
- Markings for left & right service boxes
Players use the walls to return shots, extend rallies & create tricky angles.
This wall element is what makes Padel so addictive & unique.
⭐ 4. Padel Rackets & Balls
Padel equipment is simple:
Racket
- Solid (no strings)
- Usually carbon or fibreglass
- Holes drilled in the face
- Three main shapes: round, teardrop & diamond
Ball
- Similar to tennis balls
- Lower pressure for better control & longer rallies
Rackets don’t require re-stringing, making Padel cheaper to maintain than tennis.
⭐ 5. The Essential Shots You’ll Learn First
Padel has its own unique shot vocabulary. Beginners quickly learn:
- Bandeja – a defensive overhead slice
- Víbora – a more aggressive, spin-heavy bandeja
- Chiquita – a slow, soft ball to the opponents’ feet
- Volley – quick shots taken at the net
- Smash – powerful overhead to finish the point
- Lob – high defensive shot to regain net position
- Wall shot – letting the ball bounce off the glass to defend
These shots make the sport dynamic & strategic.
⭐ 6. Why Padel Is So Beginner-Friendly
Padel is exploding globally because:
- It’s easy to learn in 10 minutes
- You don’t need a strong serve
- The court is small, so less running
- Rallies last longer
- It’s played in pairs, making it social
- You can improve quickly
Even complete beginners can enjoy full rallies in their first session.
⭐ 7. Padel vs Tennis: What’s the Difference?
People often describe Padel as “tennis & squash combined,” but the biggest differences are:
- Serves are underarm
- Walls keep the ball in play
- Doubles is the main format
- Rackets are solid
- Strategy matters more than power
Tennis players adapt quickly, but Padel rewards precision & teamwork more than raw athletic power.
⭐ 8. Who Is Padel For?
Padel is ideal for:
- Total beginners
- Former tennis, squash & badminton players
- Casual weekend players
- Kids learning racket skills
- Seniors wanting a low-impact sport
- Competitive athletes looking for tactics & teamwork
It’s truly a sport for everyone.
⭐ 9. Where Can You Play Padel?
Padel courts are now available in:
- Spain, Italy & Sweden
- UK, Ireland & France
- Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
- South America
- USA & Canada (rapid growth)
New clubs are opening every month as global demand skyrockets.
⭐ 10. Final Tips for Beginners
To enjoy Padel from day one:
- Focus on keeping the ball in play
- Use lobs to regain net position
- Stay close to your partner
- Don’t use too much power — control wins
- Have fun & communicate
Padel is simple, addictive & incredibly rewarding.
