Short answer: padel is a racket sport that mixes elements of tennis and squash. It is played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and mesh. Players use solid, stringless rackets and a ball similar to a tennis ball, the serve is underarm, scoring follows tennis, and the ball can be played off the walls after it bounces. It is easy to learn, very social and one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
Padel in 30 seconds
| Players | Four (two teams of two) |
|---|---|
| Court | 10 m x 20 m, enclosed by glass and mesh |
| Racket | Solid, perforated, no strings, foam core |
| Ball | Like a tennis ball, slightly lower pressure |
| Serve | Underarm, after a bounce |
| Scoring | Same as tennis |
| Signature feature | The walls are part of the game |
How is padel played?
Each point starts with an underarm serve, hit diagonally into the opponents’ service box. The ball must then bounce once on the ground before it can touch the walls. After that bounce, players can return the ball directly or let it rebound off the glass first. Teams win points when the ball bounces twice on the other side, when the opponents hit it out, or when it hits the opponents’ walls before bouncing. Most points are won at the net, where both players on a team try to move together. For every detail, read padel rules explained.
The padel court
A padel court is 10 m wide and 20 m long, with a net across the middle. The back walls are glass topped with mesh, and the side walls combine glass and mesh. The surface is usually artificial grass with a sand infill. The enclosed design keeps the ball in play and creates the long, tactical rallies padel is known for. Interested in building one? See how much it costs to build a padel court.
Padel rackets and balls
Padel rackets are shorter than tennis rackets, have no strings and are perforated with holes. They are built from a foam core (usually EVA) between two faces of carbon or fiberglass. They come in three main shapes: round, teardrop and diamond. See the complete guide to racket shapes. Padel balls look like tennis balls but have slightly lower pressure, which suits the smaller court.
A short history of padel
- 1969: Enrique Corcuera builds the first court at his home in Acapulco, Mexico.
- 1970s: The game reaches Marbella, Spain, and spreads among the resort crowd.
- 1980s and 1990s: Padel becomes a mass sport in Argentina and Spain.
- 2010s onwards: A professional tour grows, and padel spreads across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia.
For the story of how padel suddenly went global, read why is padel so popular all of a sudden?
Why is padel so popular?
- Easy to learn: most people rally in their first session.
- Social: always played in fours, with time to chat.
- A fun workout: lots of movement without feeling like training.
- Accessible: mixed ages and levels can play together.
- Visible: celebrities, pro tours and social media have spread the word.
Padel vs tennis
Padel uses the same scoring as tennis, but the court is smaller and enclosed, the serve is underarm, the racket has no strings, and the walls are part of play. Padel is much easier to pick up; read padel vs tennis. Often confused with other paddle sports? See padel vs paddle tennis, platform tennis and pickleball.
How to try padel
Find a club, book a beginner session or a court with three friends, rent a racket, and wear shoes with good grip. Our first-timer’s guide walks you through it.
Frequently asked questions
What sport is padel similar to?
Padel is often described as a mix of tennis and squash: tennis scoring and a net, squash-style walls.
Who invented padel?
Enrique Corcuera, in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969.
Is padel an Olympic sport?
Not yet. Padel federations are campaigning for Olympic inclusion, but it is not currently on the Olympic programme.
Is padel played indoors or outdoors?
Both. Many clubs have indoor and outdoor courts. See indoor vs outdoor padel.
Play beautifully
At moné, we believe padel should look and feel beautiful. Our 100% carbon rackets have a forgiving teardrop shape and a medium EVA core, made in the same factory as the leading brands. Explore the collection.
