Back to court: why you should try padel

By Charis Torrance

Padel is having a serious moment. One minute, it was a niche sport played in Spain, and now, boom – there’s a new padel club popping up on every corner. If you haven’t tried it yet, consider this your sign to grab a racquet (or rent one, we’ll get to that) and get in on the fun.

A bit of backstory

Padel was born in 1969 when a Mexican businessman, Enrique Corcuera, wanted a tennis court at his holiday home but didn’t have enough space. His solution? A smaller, enclosed version. A friend took the idea to Spain, and the rest is history. Today, Spain is obsessed, and the sport has spread across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

How do you play? (Don’t worry, it’s easy)

Padel is a mix of tennis and squash, but less intimidating than both. Here’s what you need to know:

• Though some padel clubs offer dedicated single, for the most part always played in doubles. That means you’ll never be alone on the court!
• The serve is underhand. No need to perfect a Wimbledon-style power serve… just keep it simple.
• The ball can bounce off the walls. Think squash, but with a tennis-style rally.
• Scoring is the same as tennis. Love, 15, 30, 40, game. Easy.
• You can only let the ball bounce once. If it bounces twice, your opponents score.

Why you’ll love it

1. It’s ridiculously easy to learn. Never played tennis? Squash? Ping pong? No worries. You’ll pick up padel in about 20 minutes.
2. The gear won’t bankrupt you (mostly). All you really need is comfy clothes and grippy shoes. Racquets can be pricey, but clubs rent them out, so you can test different ones before committing.
3. It makes you feel like an athlete. Padel works on speed, endurance, and coordination. You’ll be darting around the court like a pro in no time.
4. It’s a built-in mood booster. Exercise increases serotonin, which helps with stress and sleep. Padel = happy brain.
5. It’s social (and a great excuse for post-game drinks). Always played in doubles, padel is perfect for catching up with friends—while pretending to work out.

Ready to play?

Download the Playtomic app to find a court near you, book a slot, and even join local padel groups. Easy! Now, who’s in?