What Is Padel? The Racket Sport Explained

Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, with glass back walls and glass or mesh side walls that are part of the game. Players use a solid, stringless racket with a perforated face and a pressurised ball slightly softer than a tennis ball, serve underhand after a bounce, and score exactly as in tennis. Because the ball can be played off the walls, rallies are long and the game rewards positioning, patience and touch over power. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and is now expanding across the US. The padel court directory lists places to play.

The court

A padel court is 10 metres wide by 20 metres long, enclosed on all sides. The back walls are glass (typically 3 metres high, topped with mesh to 4 metres); the side walls are a mix of glass and metal mesh. The net is in the middle at roughly tennis height. A service line and a centre line on each side mark the service boxes. Courts are usually artificial turf with sand infill, indoors or outdoors.

The walls are what make padel distinct. After the ball bounces on your side, it can rebound off your back or side wall and you can play it. A ball that your opponents hit directly into your walls without bouncing on the court first is their error.

Equipment

Racket. Solid, with a foam core (EVA or similar), a composite face (fiberglass or carbon) and holes through it. Shorter than a tennis racket, with a wrist strap that must be worn. Shapes are round (control), teardrop (balanced) and diamond (power). See the padel rackets guide.

Ball. A felt ball like a tennis ball with slightly lower pressure, so it bounces a little less. Sold in tubes; they lose pressure over time.

Shoes. Court shoes with a sole suited to artificial turf, usually herringbone or clay-style. See the padel shoes guide.

Rules in brief

• Serve. Underhand. Bounce the ball behind the service line, hit it at or below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box. Two attempts, as in tennis. The ball may not hit the mesh after bouncing in the box.
• Scoring. Tennis scoring: 15, 30, 40, game; six games to a set, typically best of three sets. Many clubs and competitions use golden point at deuce (one deciding point) rather than advantage.
• Walls. After the ball bounces on your side of the court, it may hit your walls and remain in play. You may also hit the ball against your own back or side wall to send it over the net (legal, rarely used). A ball that hits the mesh or wall before bouncing on the court on the opponents' side is out.
• Out of court. Advanced rules allow players to leave the court through the openings to play a ball that has gone out; this depends on the court having doors and the organiser allowing it.
• Volleys. Allowed anywhere, except on the serve return.

See padel rules and how to play padel.

How a point typically goes

The serving pair serves and advances to the net. The receiving pair returns, usually deep, and the servers volley. The receivers defend using the walls, lob to push the net players back, and try to take the net themselves. Points are won at the net with volleys and smashes, or by forcing errors with lobs and wall play. The constant contest for the net, with the lob as the key weapon, is the signature of the sport.

Why it has grown

• Easy to start. The underhand serve, the small court and the walls keep rallies going for beginners.
• Social. Almost always doubles; four people on a small court talking throughout.
• Deep skill ceiling. Wall play, lobs and net positioning take years to master.
• Watchable. Enclosed courts and long rallies suit spectators and video.
• Club economics. Courts fit in small spaces and are booked by the hour.

Padel is enormous in Spain and Argentina, established across Europe and the Middle East, and growing in the US, where dedicated clubs are opening in major metros.

Padel versus tennis and pickleball

Versus tennis. Same scoring and a similar ball, but a smaller enclosed court, a solid racket, an underhand serve and walls in play. Less running, more tactics, lower physical barrier. See padel vs tennis.

Versus pickleball. Both are doubles-first with underhand serves, but padel has walls, tennis scoring, a felt ball, no non-volley zone and longer rallies. See padel for pickleball players.

Getting started in the US

1. Find a club in the padel court directory. Courts are concentrated in larger metros and expanding.
2. Book an intro session or a beginner clinic; most clubs hire rackets.
3. Learn the serve and the scoring, and let balls go to the back wall in your first sessions.
4. Join a social or "Americano" session to meet players.

See how to find padel courts in the US.

FAQ

What is padel?

A doubles racket sport on an enclosed court with glass and mesh walls that are in play, played with a solid perforated racket and a felt ball, scored like tennis.

Is padel the same as paddle tennis or platform tennis?

No. Paddle tennis (sometimes "pop tennis") and platform tennis are different US sports with their own courts and rules. Padel is the Spanish-origin sport with glass walls.

Is padel hard to learn?

No. Beginners rally within their first session. The walls and the net game take longer to master.

Do you need four players for padel?

Standard padel is doubles. Singles courts exist but are rare.

Where can I play padel in the US?

At dedicated padel clubs and some racquet clubs, mostly in larger metros. See the padel court directory.