Padel guide
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport for four on a small court with glass walls. It sits between tennis and squash, is quick to learn and is almost always played as doubles.
- Players
- 4 (doubles)
- Court
- 20 × 10 m
- Walls
- glass + mesh
- Serve
- underarm
01
Padel in one sentence
Two teams of two hit a ball over a net, and after the bounce the ball may come off the walls. Scoring works like tennis.
Because the walls keep the ball in play, rallies are long. That is why beginners are playing proper points within their first hour.
02
The court
A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, about a third of a tennis court. It is enclosed: glass walls at the back, glass and metal mesh along the sides.
The net is 88 centimetres high in the middle. The service line sits 6.95 metres from the net and splits each half into two service boxes.
03
Racket and ball
The racket has no strings. It is a perforated paddle of foam and composite, at most 45.5 centimetres long, with a cord around the wrist.
The ball looks like a tennis ball but has slightly less pressure. It bounces lower and is easier to control.
04
How a point is played
You serve underarm and diagonally into the opposite box. After that the ball may bounce once on your side and then come off the walls.
You lose the point if the ball bounces twice, or if you hit it straight into the opponents’ wall or the net. The full rules are in the rules guide.
05
Where padel comes from
Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico. Enrique Corcuera built a walled court at his home because there was no room for a tennis court.
Via Marbella it reached Spain and then Argentina, still the two big padel countries. Since the 2010s it has spread across Europe, Austria included.
06
Why padel is so easy to learn
The court is small, the racket short, and the underarm serve is no barrier. The walls give you a second chance where in tennis the point would be over.
Since you always play as four, padel is a social game too. Most people are not just looking for a court but for three others to play with.
Americano or Mexicano with your group?
The free generator makes the schedule and keeps the table. No sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
Is padel the same as paddle tennis?
No. Paddle tennis and platform tennis are separate sports with different courts. Padel is the one with glass walls on a 20 × 10 metre court.
Can you play padel with two people?
Yes, on singles courts (6 metres wide) or as practice. But the standard game is doubles with four.
Do I need my own equipment?
No. Most venues rent rackets and have balls. Indoor shoes with some grip are enough to start.
How do I find people to play with?
With matchMii: create a round with place, time and level, share the link, and others join. The app is free.
Updated 15 November 2026
Read next
- Padel guidePadel rulesPadel rules explained simply: the serve, rallies, playing off the walls, scoring with golden point and when you lose a point.Read →
- Padel guidePadel tournament formatsAmericano, Mexicano, Team Americano, King of the Court, round robin and knockout: every padel tournament format compared, with recommendations.Read →
- Tournament formatPadel AmericanoPadel Americano explained: how pairings rotate, how points are counted, how many rounds you need — with a sample schedule and a free generator.Read →
- Tournament formatPadel MexicanoPadel Mexicano explained: how pairings come from the standings, how it is scored and when Mexicano is fairer than Americano.Read →
- Free · no sign-upAmericano generatorEnter names, choose courts, start playing. The generator makes a fair schedule for Americano or Mexicano and keeps the table.Read →