What is Padel
The sport of padel originated in Mexico in the 1960s and has since gained popularity around the world.
The game is played on a smaller court than traditional tennis – typically as doubles with four players in total divided into two pairs on either side of the net. Padel tennis combines elements of other racket sports, with the geometry of the court, net and balls being particularly reminiscent of tennis, while the walls are reminiscent of squash and platform tennis.
Padel is relatively easy to get into and easy to learn, but difficult to master, making the game both fun and attractive to players of all levels. It is a fast and dynamic sport that requires quick reflexes, good hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking. In addition, padel is a social sport and, as mentioned, is often played in doubles format, giving players the opportunity to interact and bond with their partners and opponents to a much greater extent than in singles sports. This is why padel is also used for networking or team building activities.
From a creative adaptation in Mexico to one of the fastest-growing sports globally
Today, Spain stands as the global heartland of padel, with the sport ranking as the second most popular sport in the country, only behind football. Since 2010, padel has experienced exponential growth worldwide, being recognised by major publications, such as The Telegraph, as one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet.
Over the past decade, more than 10,000 new courts have been constructed, and 3,000 clubs have been established across the globe—an impressive expansion rate of nearly 29 new clubs opening each week.
