What Is Padel? Rules, Origins & Beginner FAQs
Introduction
Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the UK, and it is easy to see why. It is social, quick to pick up and usually played as doubles, making it popular with beginners, families, club players and people coming from tennis, squash or other racket sports.
At first glance, padel can look a bit like tennis on a smaller court, or even a mix between tennis and squash. But padel has its own rules, equipment and style of play. The court is enclosed by glass walls, the serve is underarm, and players use solid padel rackets rather than strung tennis rackets.
In this guide, we’ll explain what padel is, how the basic rules work, where the sport came from, how it compares with tennis and pickleball, whether padel can be played as singles, and what equipment you need to start playing. If you are completely new to the sport, our guide on How to Choose a Padel Racket: is also a useful place to start once you understand the basics.
What Is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport usually played in doubles on an enclosed court with glass walls and metal fencing. It is played over a net, like tennis, but the court is smaller and the walls are part of the game.
Players use solid padel rackets rather than strung tennis rackets, and the ball can be played after it bounces off the glass. This helps create longer rallies and makes the game feel more forgiving for beginners.
Although padel is easy to start, it becomes more tactical as players improve. Good positioning, teamwork, shot selection and control are often more important than simply hitting the ball hard. This is one reason padel has become so popular with both new players and experienced racket sport players.
Why Is Padel So Popular?
Padel has become popular because it is easy to start, social and enjoyable from the first few games. The underarm serve, smaller court and use of the glass walls make rallies easier to build than in tennis, so beginners can get involved quickly.
It is also usually played as doubles, which makes it more social and less physically demanding than some racket sports. At the same time, padel still offers plenty of depth as players improve, with tactics, positioning, lobs, volleys and teamwork becoming increasingly important. That balance of accessibility and competitiveness is a big part of its appeal.
Where Did Padel Originate and Who Invented It?
Padel originated in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969 and was invented by Enrique Corcuera. He wanted a tennis-style game at his home but did not have enough space for a full-size tennis court, so he created a smaller enclosed court with surrounding walls.
Those walls became one of padel’s defining features, allowing the ball to stay in play after bouncing off the glass. The sport later spread to Spain and Argentina, where it grew rapidly before becoming popular across Europe and the UK.
What Are the Basic Rules of Padel?
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis, with points going 15, 30, 40 and game. Matches are usually played as doubles, with two players on each side of the net.
The serve is underarm and must be hit after the ball bounces once behind the service line. The ball must land diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
During a rally, the ball must bounce on the opponent’s side before it can hit the glass or fencing. After the ball bounces once, players can let it rebound off the glass and still return it. The ball can also be volleyed before it bounces, as long as it has already crossed the net.
The walls are what make padel different from tennis, helping to create longer rallies and more tactical points.
Is Padel the Same as Tennis?
Padel and tennis share some similarities, including the scoring system and the use of a net, but they are not the same sport.
Padel is played on a smaller enclosed court, usually as doubles, with glass walls that are part of the game. The serve is underarm, and players use solid padel rackets rather than strung tennis rackets.
Tennis generally rewards power, serve speed and baseline hitting more heavily. Padel places greater emphasis on control, positioning, teamwork and using the walls effectively. For beginners, this often makes padel easier to start, especially if you choose a forgiving racket.
Is Padel the Same as Tennis?
Padel and tennis share some similarities, including the scoring system and the use of a net, but they are not the same sport.
Padel is played on a smaller enclosed court, usually as doubles, with glass walls that are part of the game. The serve is underarm, and players use solid padel rackets rather than strung tennis rackets.
Tennis generally rewards power, serve speed and baseline hitting more heavily. Padel places greater emphasis on control, positioning, teamwork and using the walls effectively. For beginners, this often makes padel easier to start, especially if you choose a comfortable, forgiving racket. Our Best Beginner Padel Rackets guide covers easy-to-play options for new players.
Is Padel the Same as Pickleball?
Padel and pickleball are both social racket sports that are easier to start than tennis, but they are not the same. Pickleball is usually played on an open court with a plastic ball and paddles, while padel is played on an enclosed court with glass walls and a pressurised ball.
The biggest difference is the use of the walls. In padel, the ball can bounce off the glass and still be played, which creates longer rallies and more tactical points. Padel also tends to feel closer to tennis in its scoring, movement and shot selection, while pickleball has its own serving rules, court layout and style of play.
Are Padel Balls the Same as Tennis Balls?
Padel balls and tennis balls look very similar, but they are not exactly the same. Padel balls are usually slightly lower in pressure, which gives them a little less bounce and helps suit the smaller court and glass-wall rallies.
For casual beginners, the difference may not feel obvious straight away. But as you play more often, using proper padel balls gives a more consistent feel for rallies, serves, volleys and defensive shots off the glass.
If you want help choosing the right balls, our Best Padel Balls UK guide compares strong options for regular club play, durability and colder UK conditions.
Can Padel Be Played as Singles?
Padel is mainly played as doubles, with two players on each side of the net. This is the standard format used in most clubs, social games and competitions.
Singles padel does exist, but it is usually played on a narrower singles court, which is less common than a standard doubles court. You can play one against one on a full-size padel court for practice, but the court can feel too wide and the game loses some of the teamwork that makes padel so enjoyable.
For most new players, doubles is the best way to start.
Is Padel an Olympic Sport?
Padel is not currently an Olympic sport, although it is growing quickly and has been included in other major international multi-sport events. For example, padel has been confirmed as a medal sport at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which is an important step for the sport’s global profile.
For padel to become part of the Olympic Games, it would need to continue developing internationally, with strong participation, governance and recognition across more countries. While it is not in the Olympics yet, its rapid growth means it is often discussed as a sport with future Olympic potential.
What Equipment Do You Need to Play Padel?
To start playing padel, you only need a few essentials: a padel racket, padel balls, suitable court shoes and comfortable sports clothing. Unlike tennis rackets, padel rackets are solid, with no strings, and they come in different shapes, weights and balances.
For beginners, the best choice is usually a comfortable, forgiving racket that feels easy to control while you learn the game. You can browse our beginner padel rackets collection for easy-to-play options designed to help new players build confidence on court.
You may also want a padel bag if you play regularly, especially if you carry spare balls, grips, clothing or more than one racket. Small extras like overgrips, protective tape and spare balls can also make regular play more convenient, and our padel accessories collection is a useful place to find the basics.
Final Thoughts
Padel is popular because it is simple to start, fun to play and social from the first game. The smaller court, underarm serve and use of the glass walls make it more accessible than many people expect, while the tactics and teamwork give players plenty to improve over time.
Whether you are trying padel for the first time or starting to play more regularly, choosing the right equipment can make the game feel easier and more enjoyable. A forgiving racket, proper padel balls and a few useful accessories are a great place to start.