What is Padel Tennis?

Padel tennis, also known as padel or paddle, is played by more than ten million people worldwide. But Brits are a little late to the game, as it is still emerging as a sport in the UK.

Enrique Corcuera, inventor of the tennis variant in 1969, formed his take on the less popular Platform Tennis in his squash court in Acapulco, Mexico. Popularity then shifted to Spain where, over the next 25 years, championships were set up to establish the competitive sport.

Now the fastest growing sport in the world, padel tennis is officially recognised as a discipline of tennis in Britain.

How do you play padel?

Much like its origin sport, padel is scored in sets of six games, with two games difference – or a tiebreaker if the game is split. Best of three sets wins the match.

It is played predominantly in doubles on an enclosed court that is roughly 25 per cent smaller than a regular tennis court. Akin to squash, the walls feature as part of the game, with the ball bouncing off them.

“Padels” are plastic and foam bats, with impressive force and adapted balls - and many amateur players simply use needles to ease the pressure of tennis balls. Easy on the arms, easy on the wallet.

Who plays padel?

Argentinian international Lionel Messi reportedly plays padel on his home court in Spain and has been spotted pairing up with former teammate Luis Suarez - the sport is played by an estimated six million alone in the country, according to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). David Beckham, Peter Crouch and Andy Murray are all rumored fans too.