Your ultimate guide to padel: The world's fastest-growing sport

Padel is a racket sport played on a small, enclosed court where the walls are an integral part of the game. Unlike tennis, power isn’t everything - it’s about placement, teamwork, and clever shot-making.

It’s played with a solid, perforated bat (no strings attached) and a slightly depressurised tennis ball, which keeps rallies going for longer. The result? A game that’s accessible to beginners but also dynamic, strategic, and a great workout without feeling like one. 

Padel started in Mexico in 1969 when Enrique Corcuera turned his squash court into something new. The sport took off in Spain and Argentina, becoming a national obsession, before spreading across Europe and beyond. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, with more than 90 countries playing.

Padel courts are one-third the size of a tennis court, enclosed by glass and metal mesh walls. These walls aren’t just for show—they’re in play, meaning you can use them for rebounds and tactical shots.

• A standard padel court measures 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, with a net dividing the playing area into 2 equal halves.
• Courts are usually artificial turf for grip and bounce.
• The court is surrounded by glass and mesh walls, which are used strategically during rallies. The combination of open space and wall rebounds gives padel its distinctive rhythm and pace.

One of padel’s biggest draws? You can pick it up in minutes. Padel’s rules are straightforward, making it a beginner-friendly sport. 

• The Serve: Underarm only - no 100mph aces to worry about. The ball must bounce before it enters the opponent’s service box.
• Scoring: Identical to tennis - love, 15, 30, 40, game.
• Game Play: After the serve, the ball must bounce once before hitting the back wall. You can also use the walls on your side for rebounds.
• Doubles Format: It’s primarily played in pairs - so expect plenty of teamwork, strategy, and the occasional miscommunication.

Padel is refreshingly low-maintenance - to play, you'll need just a few key bits of kit

• Padel Bat: A sold, perforated padel lighter and smaller than a tennis racket, designed for control over power.
• Padel Balls: Slightly lower pressure than tennis balls for better touch and longer rallies.
• Shoes: Good grip is key - footwear designed for artificial surfaces is essential to maintain grip and agility - nobody wants to be that person sliding across the floor.

It’s not just the pros who love padel - millions of people worldwide are hooked. Here’s why:

• Easy to learn - You’ll get the hang of it quickly, but there’s plenty of skill to develop.
• Social and Fun – Always played in doubles, making it a great excuse to get friends together.
• Fast-paced and engaging – The enclosed court keeps you on your toes with long, exciting rallies.
• All abilities welcome – The smaller court and underarm serve make it easier on the body than tennis.
• A great workout that doesn’t feel like one – You’ll be moving constantly, but you’ll be having too much fun to notice.

David Lloyd Head of Racquets: "With Padel mainly being doubles, it has a huge social element. It’s the norm in Padel for players to rotate their opposition, partners and courts. The inclusive nature of the sport means it can be enjoyed by all levels, combined with faster-paced games encouraging more player interactions. That’s why we’re creating more social areas right next to the courts at our clubs. Padel is for everyone regardless of age."

If you’re used to tennis, here’s how padel shakes things up:

• Court Size: Padel courts are smaller and enclosed, leading to faster, more tactical play.
• Serve Style: No overhead serves - underarm only, keeping it friendly for beginners.
• Wall Play: The use of walls adds a squash-like element, keeping the ball in play for longer, making for unpredictable shots and longer rallies
• The Equipment: Padel bats are solid and perforated, unlike the stringed rackets used in tennis.

David Lloyd Head of Raquets: "The main differences are the courts and the equipment. Padel courts are smaller by around 25% and surrounded by glass walls. You can play the ball off the walls, which means the rallies are longer, faster and involve tactical thinking. It still keeps you fit but it’s not as physically demanding as tennis is. You serve underarm in Padel which must bounce on the floor and then hit from below, or at waist height. This is infinitely easier to master than the overarm tennis equivalent."

It’s not just weekend warriors giving padel a go—some of the world’s top athletes are obsessed too.

Rafael Nadal has built padel courts at his academy in Spain. Tennis legends like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have expressed their love for the sport, while football stars including Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimović are avid players. 

When legends across tennis and football are hooked, you know it’s worth trying.

If you’re looking for a new sport that’s easy to pick up, social, and seriously good fun, padel is the one. Find a court, grab a few friends and get involved - the chances are, you’ll be hooked by the end of your first game. 

Better still, join us at Levante Beach Club in Rhodes, where you can play under the Greek sunshine, with intro lessons included as part of your holiday. Padel holidays - sun, sea, and padel - what’s not to love?