If you haven't heard of padel yet, you will soon. It's the fastest growing sport in the world, with over 25 million players across more than 90 countries. It's massive in Spain, huge in South America, and rapidly taking off in Australia.
But what actually is it?
The basics
Padel is a racquet sport that's best described as a mix of tennis and squash. You play in doubles on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass walls and mesh fencing. The ball can be played off the walls, which adds a whole new dimension to the game.
You use a solid, perforated racquet (no strings) and a depressurised tennis ball. The scoring is the same as tennis — 15, 30, 40, game — and you serve underhand.
Why everyone loves it
Here's the thing about padel: it's ridiculously fun from the very first game. Unlike tennis, where it can take months before you can hold a decent rally, padel gets you playing real points almost immediately. The smaller court, the walls keeping the ball in play, and the underhand serve all make it incredibly accessible.
But don't let the easy learning curve fool you. At a competitive level, padel is a deeply tactical game — all about positioning, angles, and teamwork with your partner. There's always something new to work on.
What you need to play
- A padel racquet (we have hire racquets available if you're just starting out)
- Comfortable sports clothing
- Court shoes or tennis shoes (running shoes aren't ideal — you need lateral support)
- A partner — padel is always played in doubles, but don't worry if you don't have a group of four. Social sessions and mix-ins are a great way to meet players
Ready to try it?
That's literally all you need to know to get started. The best way to learn padel is to play padel. Book a court, grab a racquet, and see what all the fuss is about.