What Is Padel Tennis? The Nation’s New Favourite Ball Game

For anyone who loves racket sports, padel tennis can be a fun game to try out. It’s a newer game than other, more established racket sports like tennis, badminton and table tennis, but it’s just as fun and more convenient for some players.

At Edward Sports, we love padel tennis and feel that it has the potential to take off in a big way. Keep reading to find out more about this fun and engaging game.

Where Did Padel Tennis Originate?

Invented in Mexico in the 1960s, padel tennis is named after the Spanish pronunciation of the word ‘paddle’. It is widely believed that the game was invented by Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco, Mexico towards the end of the 1960s when he built a custom court at his home.

The game became popular thanks to its similarities to traditional tennis but adaptations that make it easier for some players to enjoy the game.

Also, as the court is smaller than a normal court, it is more accessible for some homeowners to build their own.

Which Part of the Country is Playing the Most Padel Tennis?

Globally, padel is most popular in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain and Argentina.

In the UK, padel tennis is incredibly popular in Scotland, with many courts in big cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Padel has become more and more popular throughout the country, and there are now many clubs and courts in most major cities, including London, where lots of players enjoy the game for its ease of play and the all-over workout it provides.

An Overview of Padel Tennis Rules

So, what is padel tennis and how is it played?

The rules are similar to traditional tennis, and the scoring system is identical, and both teams try to win more points than their opponents.

Each game requires 4 players – two per team – and teams change sides in every odd game. The ball is considered in play when it clears the main net and then hits the ground before it hits the side walls or fences.

When you serve, the ball needs to bounce inside the corresponding cross-quadrant, and you should not bounce it over waist-height when serving – this is unlike in tennis, where the ball is raised over the head.

by ©homydesign via Canva.com

Padel Scoring System

Scoring in padel is the same as tennis, with games comprising of 3 sets, and scores offered as 15, 30, 40 in advantages or equals. If there’s a tie on 40 - 40 then this is called deuce.

In the case of a deuce, the winner is the first team whose player leads by two clear points. The winning team is the one that wins two out of the three sets in each game.

Padel Tennis Equipment List

To play padel, you need a lot of equipment similar to tennis, but with some notable differences. Here’s a list of everything you need to start playing padel and enjoying this unique sport.

Padel Tennis Court

Padel courts are very different to tennis courts, as they are just 20m long by 10m wide, and enclosed on all sides by wire mesh surroundings, which the ball can bounce off during the game.

The surface of a padel court can be made from concrete, cement or astroturf, depending on your preference.

Padel Tennis Net

The padel tennis net is similar to a traditional tennis net and splits the court in two down the middle horizontally. The net is 34.6in in the middle and 36in on the sides and is held up by metal posts so it can be removed and washed when required, or packed away when not in use.

Padel Tennis Balls

Padel balls look and seem like traditional tennis balls, in that they are usually green and covered in felt. However, padel balls have 11psi of pressure, versus 14psi which tennis balls have, and are between 6.35cm and 6.77cm in diameter, making them slightly smaller than tennis balls.

Padel Racket

It might look like a tennis racket, but a padel racket isn’t made of strings, but instead a fiberglass or carbon fibre material. The racket has holes in it to make it more aerodynamic, instead of the gaps between traditional strings.

by ©JackF (Getty Images) via Canva.com

Finding a Local Padel Tennis Club

While constructing your own padel tennis court can be a fun way to use your space in a large private garden, for most of us, a public court will be our first port of call. Even if you have a lot of space, you should still try out padel tennis in a public court before you build your own.

To do so, you’ll need to find a local padel tennis club. The first step is to ask around and see if anyone you know belongs to a club. You can also search directories like the one from Padel Magazine.

Padel Tennis FAQs

If you’ve always wondered about playing padel tennis, then here are some answers to commonly-asked questions about the sport.

How is Padel Tennis different from traditional Tennis?

Padel tennis is different from the traditional game as the court is smaller and has wire-mesh walls, from which the ball can bounce, similar to the way squash is usually player. Also, it’s usually played in pairs, and the rules and strokes are slightly different.

Is Padel Tennis easier to learn compared to traditional Tennis?

Padel is often seen as easier than traditional tennis when it comes to learning, because it requires less physical strength and accuracy, as you play on a smaller court with walled sides which can be used as part of the game.

How popular is Padel Tennis globally?

It’s currently estimated that as many as 25 million people globally enjoy playing padel tennis, and that number only looks set to rise over the years to come. There is even a World Padel Tour, which is a professional circuit for the sport.

How long does a typical Padel Tennis match last?

Usually, a padel tennis game can last anywhere from one hour upwards, and usually doesn’t surpass two hours. Still, the length of the game depends on the skills of the players and how many ties happen during the game.