You may think you know everything there is to know about the world of tennis, but prepare yourself for padel tennis. If you’re new to the game but don’t want to be left behind, don’t despair. Read on for everything you need to know about the racket sport that is taking the world by storm.
So, What is Padel?
It seems to be a new phenomenon, yet, the game, including the rules that are followed today, has been around as early as 1910. The game has certainly experienced a resurgence and is growing in popularity all over the globe. Padel is an exciting sport that is high adrenaline and fun but also very sociable. It’s easy to pick up and can be played by all ages and all skill levels. Just make sure you’re pairing up with someone with a similar skill level. The game can be won in tennis through strength, good technique, and a strong serve, but padel tennis is a little different. You can win the game with strategy rather than with strength and power.
It’s often been described as a cross between tennis and squash. Padel is usually played in doubles and is played on a court that is divided by a net. However, a key difference is that a padel pitch is also surrounded by walls, like in squash.
The Rules
You don’t need much to get started. Simply grab a partner, two rackets, and a ball, and you’re ready to play padel tennis. Now, to a large extent, the rules are the same as tennis, the main difference being in padel, you serve by bouncing the ball on the ground and below hip height, and you can serve underarm.
When shots are played in padel, this can be done either before or after the ball bounces off the walls surrounding your pitch.
A match usually consists of three or five sets. A set includes six games.
In padel, you’ll score points if
- The ball manages to bounce twice on your opponent’s side of the net.
- Your opponent gets hit by the ball.
- Your opponent hits the ball into the net or outside of the area of play.
- Lastly, if the opponent hits the ball into their own grid.
Sounds easy enough, right? If you’re a seasoned tennis player, it will probably only take around 30 minutes to get used to the rules of padel. If you’re brand new to the sport, you’ll still get the hang of it by the end of a game.
The Racket
A padel racket is made of an elastic or composite material and is covered in tiny holes. Due to this, unlike a tennis racket, the stokes are less powerful. When choosing your racket, you can pick from three different shapes:
- Round
- Drop-shaped
- Diamond-shaped
The round racket is the best choice for a beginner as it offers the most control. The ball is very similar to tennis, but many players opt for something more lightweight.
This game is incredibly addictive. The glass walls surrounding the pitch allow you to enjoy much longer rallies, and skill and strategy make this game incredibly addictive. So, are you ready to give padel a try?
