You may have noticed more people talking about padel or even seen new courts appearing at your local sports centre. Padel is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, with over 18 million players globally, and its becoming one of the hottest trends in sports. With over 450 padel courts and 90,000 registered players in the UK and favoured by tennis greats Andy Murray and Serena Williams lets look into why Padel is your next sport to play.
What Is Padel?
Padel is a racket based sport that combines elements of both tennis and squash. You would normally play in doubles on a court that is roughly a 3rd the size of a standard tennis court. It also has walls that are used in play, similar to squash. Padel is an extremely fast paced, highly social game.
However its easier to pick up than tennis making it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.
Rules and Gameplay
The scoring system for padel is the same as tennis, with games, sets and matches. A point begins with an underhand serve, the ball must first bounce in the opponents box before being returned. Players can hit the ball after it bounces or directly off the walls, adding layers of strategy and excitement to the game.
How to Score Padel
Scoring in padel is the same as tennis and is most commonly played as sets and games. To win one set, you have to win six games and be leading by two clear games.
Similarly, to clinch a game, you must win four points with a two-point advantage. Games follow the scoring system of:
- 15 – one point
- 30 – two points
- 40 – three points
If the game goes to 40-40, this is called ‘deuce’. You will still need to win by two clear points – whoever wins the next point will have ‘advantage’ and will then need to claim the following point to seal the game. If you lose the advantage point, it’s back to deuce.
Why Is Padel So Popular?
Padel originated in Mexico in the 60’s and quickly gained popularity across Spain and Latin America. Now its expanding across all of Europe, the UK and other parts of the world. The sports appeal lies in its mix of fun, accessibility and for many competition.
Padel’s popularity is surging for several reasons:
Simplicity: The rules of padel are straightforward, and the learning curve is gentle, meaning beginners can quickly start enjoying the game.
Social Interaction: Since it’s usually played in doubles, padel is inherently social, making it a great way to stay active while spending time with friends or meeting new people.
Accessibility: Padel is easier on the body compared to tennis, with shorter distances to cover and a smaller court size. This makes it appealing to people who want to stay active without the intensity of other racket sports.
Growing Infrastructure: With the increasing popularity, more clubs and facilities are building padel courts. The sport has particularly taken off in Spain and Latin America, but it’s now spreading rapidly in the UK, the US, and other parts of Europe.
How to Get Started with Padel
Getting started is easier than you think, pick yourself up a padel racket, find a court and go have some fun!
Lets look at each element you will need:
Equipment
You’ll need a padel racket, which is smaller and more compact than a tennis racket, and padel balls, which are similar to tennis balls but slightly less pressurized. Padel rackets start from around £20, and the balls £10 to £15 for a pack of 3. Very little investment for endless hours of fun. You might even find your local sport centre will rent the equipment.
Court Access
Look for local clubs or sports centres that offer padel courts. Many tennis clubs are now adding padel courts due to the sport’s growing popularity. You can find a list of padel courts here – Padel Courts UK
Basic Rules
You can enjoy padel at both a casual and competitive level, allowing you to choose the intensity that fits your preference.. Most clubs will provide lessons and experiences allowing you to learn all the rules, or alternatively read up online or watch videos to get down the basics.
Why Should You Try Padel?
If you’re looking for a new sport to try in 2024, padel might just be the perfect choice. It’s fun, social, and a great workout. Plus, it’s a trend that’s only going to grow, so why not get ahead of the curve?
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone just looking to stay active, padel offers something for everyone. Check out your local sports centres to see if they offer padel, or gather some friends and book a court to experience this exciting sport for yourself.
