What is Padel?

Basic Rules

Padel scoring is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage, and games are played in sets. A match is typically best of three sets, with a tiebreak at 6-6. The serve must be underhand, bouncing the ball behind the service line and hitting it at or below waist height, diagonally into the opponent's service box.

The ball must bounce once on the ground before hitting any wall on the receiving side. After the bounce, players can volley or let it hit the back or side walls before returning it. The ball is out if it hits the mesh fence directly (without bouncing first on the opponent's side). Players can exit the court through the side openings to retrieve a ball that has gone over the back wall.

Serving follows a rotation similar to tennis doubles. Each player serves for an entire game, and the serving order rotates among all four players. Let serves that land in the correct service box are replayed.

Equipment

Padel rackets (called palas) are solid with no strings, made from carbon fiber or fiberglass, and feature perforated surfaces to reduce air resistance. They are typically 45-46 cm long and weigh between 340-390 grams. Rackets come in three shapes: round (control), diamond (power), and teardrop (balanced), each suited to different playing styles.

The balls used in padel are similar to tennis balls but with slightly less internal pressure, resulting in a lower bounce that keeps rallies closer to the ground. Standard padel shoes have herringbone or omni-sole patterns designed for artificial turf surfaces, providing grip without damaging the court.

Court Dimensions

An official padel court measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide, divided by a net that stands 88 cm at the center and 92 cm at the posts. The court is enclosed by a combination of glass walls (typically 3 meters high at the back and portions of the sides) and metallic mesh fencing (up to 4 meters high).

The playing surface is usually artificial turf with sand infill, though some indoor facilities use concrete or carpet. The service boxes are 6.95 meters deep, and a service line runs 3 meters from each back wall. Proper lighting requires at least 400 lux for recreational play and 600 lux for competition.

Benefits of Playing Padel

Padel offers an excellent cardiovascular workout while being easier on joints than tennis due to the smaller court and underhand serve. A typical one-hour padel session burns between 400 and 700 calories, depending on intensity. The sport improves agility, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and strategic thinking.

Beyond physical fitness, padel is exceptionally social. Since it is always played in doubles, it naturally builds community. Many clubs report that padel players form lasting friendships through the sport. The accessible learning curve means players of different ages and fitness levels can enjoy competitive matches together, making it an ideal family and corporate activity.

Where to Play

Padel courts are spreading rapidly across the globe. Spain leads with over 20,000 courts, followed by Argentina, Mexico, Italy, and Sweden. The sport is growing fastest in the UAE, UK, USA, and across Southeast Asia, with new facilities opening weekly.

To find a padel court near you, look for dedicated padel clubs, multi-sport facilities, or tennis clubs that have added padel courts. Many clubs now offer booking through mobile apps, making it easy to reserve a court, find partners, and join organized play sessions or tournaments.

Frequently Asked Questions