Already knew? According to the German Padel Association, Padel is the fastest growing sport in the world and has been experiencing an unprecedented climb for years. With around 30 million active players in 130 countries, it is clear that the combination of tennis and squash no longer has a niche existence. On the Padel World Summit 2025 in Barcelona, the possible recording of sport in the program of the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane was even discussed. What is the sports phenomenon?
How a problem became the sport of padel
In 1985 the Mexican Don Enrique Corcuera had a problem. He actually wanted his own tennis court on his property, but the space was not enough. Corcuera then quickly had a reduced execution of a place that fit on his property with exactly half of a tennis double field, writes the German Padel Association. Existing walls on the edge of the field were soon integrated into the rallies by the players. A new sport was born – and it has it all. “No boring baseline duels, but serve and volley, lobs, smashes and spectacular rallies”, “as the German Padel Association describes it.
This is how Padel works
Padel is only played as a double in competition. For training purposes, one also goes against one. The players playing against each other faces each other in the playing halves that are shared by the network and surrounded by glass and grid walls. It starts with the surcharge that always takes place below the hip after the ball has crashed into the floor. The ball is played in the opposite field and can put on the floor at a maximum.
During the subsequent rallies, the ball must first arise in the opposing field after each blow before touching the wall or grille. It can then be played back directly or via the walls, which enables new tactical possibilities and dynamic rallies. As a result, Padel is not only physically demanding, on top of that, strategy and teamwork are crucial.
The paddle equipment: racket and balls
A Padel racket* is smaller and more massive than a tennis or squash racket. Besides, he has no strings. Instead, the racket has a robust shot with a slightly elastic core made of foam rubber material, which is covered by a resistant plastic layer. In order to reduce weight and air resistance, holes are allowed in the shotle. The handle measures a maximum of 20 centimeters and ends with a loop that has to be laid around the wrist during the game for safety reasons. By the way, its paddle -like form is also the reason for the name of this sport.
Padel balls* look like tennis balls and cannot be distinguished from them. However, their internal pressure is lower so that they don’t jump so much.
The point count in the padel corresponds to that in tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game. If it is 40-40, two points ahead of victory are necessary. The team, which first won six games in one set and is at least two games ahead, wins the sentence. A match usually consists of two winning sets.
Where are paddles?
The disadvantage to Padel: Without a place, it looks bad. The sport can now be played almost anywhere in Germany – from big cities to smaller regions. There are numerous specialized clubs, sports facilities and online platforms that help find the right court nearby.
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