The fun was invented in 1969 in Acapulco. A Mexican man wanted to build a tennis court on his property, but the space was too small. "I'll just build a smaller court," he thought, and since he was quite old, he built a wall around it so the ball wouldn't fly too far—thus, a new sport was born. Spaniards brought it to Europe, where initially the sporty part of Marbella's jet set amused themselves with the short rackets.
Padel is now one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. There are already national leagues, world-ranking tournaments, and well-paid professionals who compete in three global competition series. At the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, the first Padel medals are set to be awarded.
Basics of Padel
Court and structure: A Padel court is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by glass walls. The court is rectangular and divided in the middle by a net. The dimensions of the Padel court are about 10 meters wide and 20 meters long. The walls allow players to bounce the ball off them, adding a unique dynamic to the game.
Serves and returns: The game starts with a serve, where the ball is played underhand over the net to the opponent's side of the court. The ball must first bounce on the server’s side before going over the net. The return follows similar rules to tennis, but the ball can bounce off the walls, which opens up tactical possibilities.
Scoring: Padel uses a scoring system similar to tennis. A match consists of points, games, and sets. The order of scoring is 15, 30, 40, and then game. A set is typically played to six games, with a lead of at least two games needed to win the set.
Doubles play and positioning: Padel is mainly played in doubles, emphasizing the social component and strategic positioning. Players position themselves according to the game situation and try to place the ball in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to return.
Technique and movement: The basic strokes in Padel are forehand and backhand, similar to tennis. It is important to have a relaxed wrist movement to hit the ball with control. Movement on the court requires agility and positioning to effectively play the ball while ensuring optimal coverage.
The right equipment for Padel
Padel racket and ball: Choosing the right equipment is key to a successful start in Padel. As a beginner, however, you don’t need much at first. Simply borrow Padel rackets and balls from a Padel club with three of your sports buddies, and you’re ready to go. As a beginner, special attention should be paid to choosing the right Padel racket. A racket that suits your playing style can make a difference and help you reach your full potential. Additionally, it's important to wear comfortable clothing and proper shoes that offer the necessary freedom of movement and support.
