Padel Tennis, often simply called padel, is a fast-growing racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Originating in Mexico in 1969, it's particularly popular in Spain and Latin America but has gained global popularity recently.
Played on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court (20m x 10m), padel uses solid paddles and a depressurized tennis ball. The rules are similar to tennis with scoring identical, but with unique features: walls are in play (like squash), serves must be underhand, and the ball can bounce off any wall after hitting the ground.
The sport emphasizes strategy over power, making it accessible to all ages and skill levels. Games are typically played in doubles format on artificial turf or concrete surfaces surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh. Equipment includes a perforated padel racket (without strings) and special padel balls that are slightly less bouncy than tennis balls.
Padel's social nature, relatively simple learning curve, and exciting gameplay have contributed to its rapid expansion, with over 25 million players worldwide as of 2025. Many consider it one of the world's fastest-growing sports.
