Padel, or Padel Tennis, becoming increasingly more popular around the world, is an exciting and highly sociable sport enjoyed by players of all skill levels and ages.
Padel was first established In 1969 when Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican Businessman, set up the first known Padel court at the back of his holiday home in Acapulco. Since then, and more so in recent years, Padel has become increasingly more popular around the world, being the fastest growing sport across Europe.
As Padel has become more and more popular around the world, you can find Padel courts all over the UK in areas including London, Surrey and Sussex – so whether you’re already on the road to being a pro or you’re looking to try your hand as a beginner, you’re sure to find a local club to join discover. To make your search easy, check out where to play Padel in the UK.
A standard game of Padel is typically played in doubles so the court is big enough for four people to play in. The game is played in an enclosed turf court made up of glass, mesh and net, roughly the third of the size of a tennis court. A Padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide with 3 metre high back walls made of glass, with the glass side walls ending after 4 meters. The walls can be made of glass or another solid material such as concrete. The rest of the court is closed with metallic mesh and netting.
When you’re ready to step onto the court, investing in the right Padel equipment will make all the difference. Look for a quality Padel racket suited to your playing style and experience—lightweight models offer easier handling for beginners, while advanced players may prefer heavier rackets for more power. You’ll also need Padel balls, which are slightly less pressurised than tennis balls, and comfortable court shoes designed for good grip on artificial turf. Many sports retailers and specialist online stores now offer a wide range of Padel gear and clothing to help you look and feel your best while you play.
Already got yourself into the swing of Padel? Be sure you look the part with the best Padel equipment and clothing.
The Rules
The rules to a game of Padel are closely similar to the rules of tennis; however, there are a few differences you need to know before hitting the court.
- Unlike a Tennis court, a Padel court has walls. So the ball is allowed to touch them, with the walls also being played off of them, much like Squash.
- To serve, the ball must be bounced off of the floor from waist height and hit from below. Players are allowed two opportunities to serve the ball into the opposition’s box.
- Players are allowed to ‘volley’ the ball, however, if the ball should hit the wall, then it is determined as ‘out’. Like Squash, players are allowed to hit the ball into the wall on their side.
- Like Tennis, matches are the best of three sets, with each team aiming for 6 wins in a set with at least a two-game difference. Without the two-game difference, the winner is decided by a tie-break.
The scoring system in Padel is the same as Tennis:
0 points = Love.
1 point = 15.
2 points = 30.
3 points = 40.
Tied score = All.
40-40 = Deuce.
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