What is padel?

Padel in one sentence

Padel is a racket sport that blends tennis and squash, played in doubles on a small court enclosed by glass walls — and those walls are part of the game.

What the court looks like

A padel court is about 20 metres long and 10 metres wide — roughly a third of the size of a tennis court. It is completely enclosed: glass walls at the ends and part of the sides, with metal mesh fencing around the rest. A net runs across the middle, about 88 centimetres high at its centre.

Because the court is enclosed, the ball stays in play far longer than in tennis. A shot that would race past you on a tennis court simply bounces, hits the glass, and comes back — giving you a second chance to reach it.

How a point works (the short version)

One team serves underarm, and the ball travels back and forth over the net. After the ball has bounced on your side of the court, you may let it carry on into your own walls and play it off the rebound. A point ends when the ball bounces twice, goes into the net, or is hit out of the court. The rules and scoring guide covers all of this in detail.

Why padel is so beginner-friendly

• The court is small — far less running than tennis.
• The racket is solid and forgiving — no strings, a large sweet spot, easy to control.
• The serve is underarm — no intimidating overhead technique to master.
• It is always doubles — sociable, and there is always a partner to cover you.
• The walls keep the ball alive — mishits and missed reaches often get a second life off the glass.

Where padel came from

Padel was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969, when Enrique Corcuera adapted a small walled court at his home. It spread to Spain and Argentina, where it became enormously popular, and is today one of the fastest-growing sports in the world — including here in Australia, where new courts are opening across every major city.

Padel vs tennis vs pickleball

All three are racket sports, but they play very differently: