You've heard about padel, the fastest-growing sport in the world, but you don't really know what it is? You've come to the right place!
A mix of squash and tennis
First called paddle-tennis, padel is a racket sport that was invented in Mexico by Mexican Enrique Corcuera. Tired of searching for tennis balls that would always land in his garden, this racket sports fan decided to put up some walls around his tennis court. Inspired by other activities such as squash, he invented his own sport.
So, as you can imagine, padel is a sort of mix between squash and tennis. Like in tennis, there is a net in the middle of the court, and like in squash, you can play after the ball hits the walls, which are now made of glass so spectators can enjoy the action better.
Padel specifics
Padel is always played 2 vs. 2, making it a very fun experience. Its easy-to-play approach and entertaining style make it one of the most popular sports in the world. Apart from the glass walls, there are fences around the court that make the rebounds more uncertain and enhance the entertaining experience.
Since the court is quite small (20 meters x 10 meters), you spend a lot of time playing volleys and smashes, basically the more enjoyable shots of tennis. Furthermore, the way of counting points is exactly the same as in tennis. So, if you have played at a good level in tennis, pickleball, squash, or any other racket sport, you will be able to play padel comfortably very soon. And for those who don't have a background in racket sports, no worries, padel is known to be one of the most accessible activities in the world, being played by people of all ages and physical conditions.
Apart from the rackets, called palas, that are softer and more forgiving than tennis rackets, the service is played underhand, allowing you to enjoy your first session (who has never struggled to try to make a correct serve on a tennis court?!).
Padel equipment
If you want to try this sport that is already the second most practiced in Spain and is completely booming in Europe, Argentina, and soon in the USA (The USPA forecasts huge growth within the next five years with 10 million players and 30,000 courts in the United States by 2030), you need good equipment.
First, you need a good pala. Padel rackets are made of a foam inner core and a fiberglass or carbon outer core (some brands add materials such as graphene to make them more resistant). If you are a true beginner in racket sports, we recommend you opt for a soft racket made for players who are starting the activity. Those who already have a good background in tennis, for example, can skip that part and start directly with a more rigid, powerful, and precise model.
Then, you need padel balls. Padel balls are smaller and lighter versions of tennis balls, and they are absolutely necessary for the activity (do not try to play with tennis balls or you will damage your racket very fast and also increase the vibrations that reach your forearm, thereby increasing the risk of suffering tennis elbow).
Padel shoes are also specific for this activity, and it's important to find a good model to make sure you don't slip on the court and take the risk of enduring an ankle or knee sprain.
Then, a lot of accessories can also be used, from reducing vibrations products, grips, and overgrips to bags...
So...what are you waiting for?
Now you know the most important things about padel, and it's highly probable that you already want to try this exhilarating sport. And if you're still not convinced, you can read our article listing the reasons why you should start playing padel or the one that explains why padel is the fastest-growing sport!
