What Is Padel? The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to the World’s Fastest-Growing Racket Sport
Beginner guide · Updated 2026
Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed glass-and-mesh court, roughly a third the size of a tennis court. The serve is underarm, glass walls are in play after a bounce, and scoring follows tennis. It’s easier to start than tennis, faster to rally, and deeply social in format. Over 40,000 courts worldwide and 1M+ players in the USA alone.
Court layout
- Dimensions: 10m × 20m (enclosed)
- Walls: Glass and mesh fences — part of play after the bounce
- Net height: 88cm in the middle, 92cm at the posts
- Players: Always doubles — 4 players, 2 per side
Rules: the essentials
Serving
- Underarm serve only — bounce the ball, strike below waist height
- Must land cross-court in the opponent’s service box
- Two serves allowed
- Can rebound off the back glass after bouncing in the box
Scoring
- Same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game
- Sets to 6, tiebreak at 6-6
- Most clubs use a deciding point at deuce (40-40)
Wall play
- Ball must bounce on the court before hitting a wall
- After a bounce, rebounds off glass or mesh are in play
- Ball hitting the fence before bouncing = out
Padel vs tennis: quick comparison
| Feature | Padel | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 10m × 20m (enclosed) | 36m × 18m (open) |
| Serve | Underarm only | Overhead allowed |
| Walls in play | Yes, after bounce | No |
| Format | Doubles only | Singles or doubles |
| Learning curve | Faster to start | More technical overhead |
Tips to improve quickly
- Master the lob — the most important defensive shot in padel
- Move with your partner — padel is a team sport, not two individuals
- Use the back glass — let the wall work for you in defence
- Control before power — placement wins more points than pace
- Get to the net — the net pair has the advantage in almost every rally
- How do I get started playing padel?
- Padel rules 2026 — the complete guide
- What level am I? Padel levels explained
- Who invented padel? The Enrique Corcuera story
Ready to play? Look the part.
Corcuera padel clothing — breathable, lightweight, court-to-clubhouse style. Free UK & EU shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play padel singles?
Yes but it’s rare. Padel is designed for doubles and almost all recreational and competitive padel is played 2v2. Some venues have a singles-width court variant.
Can you volley in padel?
Yes — volleys are a core part of padel, especially at the net. The one exception is the return of serve, which must bounce before being played.
What if the ball hits the lights or ceiling?
A fault — the point goes to the opposing pair.
Is padel easier than tennis?
Easier to start. The underarm serve removes the biggest barrier in tennis, and the enclosed court produces longer rallies. The tactical depth takes much longer to develop, but the game is enjoyable at every stage.