What is Padel? Discover the Fastest Growing Sport in the World

If you've been keeping tabs on sports, you've probably heard the hype around the game of padel. It's like a mix of tennis, squash, and a touch of pickleball, all rolled into one super fun, super addictive racquet sport.

Born in Mexico back in the '60s, padel has taken Europe, especially Spain, by storm and is now making a splash worldwide. It's super easy to pick up, no matter your age or skill level, making it a great way to have fun and stay active with friends and family.

So, what's the big deal about padel? Well, let's dive in. We'll cover the basics: what it is, the gear you need, the court layout, the rules, and how it stacks up against tennis and pickleball. Whether you're a total newbie or just curious, this is your go-to guide to the world of padel.

What is padel?

At its core, padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court. You play it on a court half the size of a tennis court, with walls all around. This means you can bounce the ball off the walls, which adds a whole new level of strategy and excitement to the game.

Padel was invented in Mexico back in 1969 by a guy named Enrique Corcuera, who didn't have enough space for a full-size tennis court. So, he got creative and built a smaller court with walls. And just like that, padel was born! Over the years, it's exploded in popularity, especially in Spain, where it's practically a national obsession.

The best part about padel is that it's super easy to pick up, no matter your skill level. It's great for people of all ages, making it a fantastic way to have fun and stay active with friends and family. So, if you're looking for a new sport to try, give padel a shot. You might just get hooked!

Padel equipment

If you’re interested in trying padel, you’ll need some specific equipment to get started. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to play:

1. Padel Racquet

Unlike tennis racquets, padel racquets are smaller and solid, with no strings. Made from materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, or a composite, the racquet has holes punched through the surface to reduce air resistance and make it lighter. Padel racquets are typically round or teardrop-shaped, and each shape offers different benefits—round racquets are ideal for control, while teardrop racquets offer more power.

2. Padel Shoes

Although there aren’t dedicated “padel shoes” in the same way that there are for other sports, good quality, non-slip footwear is essential. A shoe designed for tennis or indoor sports will work well for padel. Padel involves a lot of quick stops and starts, so look for a pair with grip, stability, and a cushioned sole.

3. Padel Ball

The padel ball looks very similar to a tennis ball, but it has slightly less pressure, which affects its bounce. A lower bounce keeps the ball from flying too high or too fast, ensuring that players have ample time to react and set up shots. This makes the game feel accessible and enjoyable for new players, yet dynamic enough for experienced players to play fast-paced games.

4. Other Accessories

Additional accessories like wristbands, hats, and pads aren’t essential but are nice to have for a long day on the court. The wristbands can help you keep a firm grip if you’re sweating, while pads protect your knees if you’re diving for a ball.

Padel court

One of the defining aspects of padel is its unique court, which plays a big role in the style and flow of the game.

First off, let's talk about the size. A standard padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide. It might not sound like much, but trust us, it's plenty of space for some intense action. The court is enclosed by walls, usually made of glass or mesh, which is where the fun part comes in. You can actually hit the ball off these walls, adding a whole new dimension to the game.   

Now, the net in the middle is a bit lower than a tennis net, coming in at 88 centimeters high. This might seem odd at first, but it actually makes the game a lot faster-paced and more dynamic. You can lob the ball over the net, smash it down, or even hit it off the walls to set up tricky shots.   

The padel court is divided into zones, each with its own strategic purpose. The net splits the court in half, and service lines further divide each side. Players use these zones to set up shots, defend, and attack.

Those glass walls, reaching up to 3 meters high, are a game-changer. Unlike tennis, where the ball's out if it leaves the court, in padel, the walls are your friend. You can bounce the ball off them to surprise your opponent or set up a killer shot.

Padel rules

Padel is generally played in doubles, though singles matches are also possible. The rules are also straightforward, so here are some of the basics:

1. Scoring

The scoring in padel is identical to tennis. Points are counted as love, 15, 30, 40, and game. A match typically consists of the best of three sets, and players must win by at least two points to close out a game.

2. Serving

In padel, serves are underhand and must bounce once in the service box on the opposite side. The ball must be hit at or below waist level on a serve, adding a little bit of a learning curve but making serves easier to return for beginners. Similar to tennis, serves alternate between the deuce and ad sides of the court.

3. Bouncing and Rebounds

Players can hit the ball after it bounces on the ground or directly in the air. The twist in padel is that players are allowed to use the walls after the ball bounces. For instance, a player can hit the ball against the wall on their side, making it bounce off the wall before going over the net, which introduces a whole new layer of strategy to the game.

4. Out of Bounds

If the ball hits the ground before hitting the wall on the opposing side, it’s still in play. If it bounces over the wall or fence, however, the play is dead, and the other team is awarded a point. Some courts have a rule where you can step outside the court to retrieve balls that go out, making for exciting “chase shots,” but this depends on the specific court rules.

Padel vs Tennis and Pickleball

Padel, pickleball, and tennis are three dynamic racket sports, each with its own unique flair. Let's break down the differences to help you choose the right one for you.

Court Size and Style: Tennis courts are the largest, offering plenty of space for powerful, long rallies. Padel courts are smaller and enclosed by walls, adding a strategic element to the game. Pickleball courts are the smallest, making for quick, intense matches.

Rackets and Balls: Tennis rackets are large and strung, designed for powerful shots. Padel rackets are solid and perforated, emphasizing control and precision. Pickleball rackets are smaller and used with a unique plastic ball.

Gameplay and Strategy: Tennis is a game of power and endurance, with long rallies and strategic play. Padel is a fast-paced game that relies on teamwork, wall play, and quick reflexes. Pickleball is a social game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, emphasizing strategy and net play.

Scoring and Serving: Tennis and padel have similar scoring systems, while pickleball uses a simplified system. Tennis and padel feature overhand serves, while pickleball relies on underhand serves.

Where can I play padel in Bali?

As padel’s popularity grows, so does the number of padel clubs around the world. From Europe to the Americas and beyond, padel clubs are popping up to meet the demand for this new and exciting sport.

In Bali, padel is quickly catching on, and the island now boasts a few dedicated courts where players can enjoy this dynamic sport in beautiful surroundings. Here are some top spots in Bali where you can play padel:

Jungle Padel Ubud	Jl. Raya Laplapan No.17, Petulu, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552
Sanur Padel Club	Jl. Danau Poso No.58, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Bali Padel Academy	Jl. Babakan Kubu, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351
Indo Padel	Jl. Teuku Umar Barat Z No.88, Padangsambian, Kec. Denpasar Bar., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80119