The Game of Padel: Everything You Need to Know
Did you know that the court construction of the fastest-growing racket sport, Padel, is expected to surge by 26% by 2025? Let's delve into the world of Padel, exploring what makes this sport so popular and intriguing.
Originating in Mexico, Padel is a racket sport blending the principles of tennis and squash. Presently, the sport is experiencing explosive growth. Often, people confuse padel with paddle tennis. Although Padel shares some common scoring systems with tennis, the rules and techniques of the game are entirely different. In this article, you will learn everything about the game Padel, its rules, techniques, and strokes.
History
The game of Padel traces its origin from Acapulco, Mexico. It was invented by Enrique Corcuera in 1969 when he modified his squash court and ended up discovering padel. Traditionally, the walls were opaque and made of concrete. But with time, concrete walls were replaced by glass and artificial turf. This allowed spectators to enjoy the game and entertain others. Though Padel used to be a niche game forever, it gained popularity during the pandemic as it is an online game that features no physical contact.
Popular Terms Associated with Padel
Before exploring the rules of the games, let us begin by understanding the popular terms associated with them.
Balls: Padel balls are similar to tennis balls, but they are much smaller.
Rackets: Padel rackets are made from composite material without strings. The hitting surface is perforated for better performance.
Court: The padel court usually has a concrete surface. Sometimes, it also consists of plastic or artificial grass. The court is typically surrounded by 4-meter-high walls made of brick or glass. Sometimes, fencing is used in lieu of walls. Padel can be played indoor or outdoor, depending on the weather of the region. For example, cold countries such as Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway mainly opt for building indoor padel courts. On the other hand, Belgium, Italy, France, and Germany prefer outdoor courts.
Court Size: Usually, the doubles match is played on a 10 X 20 meter court, while a singles match requires a 6 X 20 meter court.
Rules of Padel
Now let's dive into the rules of padel. The game of Padel follows the same scoring system and service as tennis. However, there are a few variances between the sports.
Service
A draw is conducted in the beginning that decides the right to serve between the two teams. The winner then bounces the ball off the ground and hits it diagonally into the service box on the opponent's side. Additionally, the ball must be hit when it is below the waist.
Scoring Rules
Scores are distributed based on the following criteria:
A point is awarded to the player in the following cases:
When the ball bounces on the ground twice on their side.
When a player hits the ball into the net.
When the ball is hit outside the boundary (play area).
When a player hits the ball directly against an opponent's boundary of the wall or fence without the ball bouncing first.
Matches are divided into three sets or five sets.
The first team or individual who wins two out of the three sets or three out of the five sets wins the game.
The first player or team that wins six games wins the set.
If the set goes six games to each player, a tie-break is played. The player who scores seven points first is the winner.
Similar to tennis, padel follows the scorecard: 15, 30, 40, Game.
The 40-40 score level is considered a deuce.
In a professional game, a 40-40 is a golden point that acts in operation.
After every odd game number, the players are guided to change their side of the court.
Important Terms Related to the Padel Game
Like many sports, there are game movements specifically attached to the Padel game. This includes:
Vibora: Vibora is said to be a movement consisting of high-powered hit and spin, typically diagonally down.
Bandeja: Bandeja is an overhand shot hit with spin, taken out of the air. Here, the ball bounce isn't allowed.
Chiquita: Chiquita is similar to a drop shot.
Bajada: Bajada is when the ball takes a high bounce off the wall and is brought down with an overhand hit.
Cadete: Cadete refers to the back shot.
Salida: Salida or exit is when a player runs off the court to save the ball.
Current Global Status of Padel
Post-pandemic, padel witnessed a global hike. In 2023, padel was included in the European Games. Due to the sport’s increased popularity, the International Padel Federation (FIP) proposed padel as an Olympic sport for the 2023 Summer Olympics. Currently, the global status of Padel includes:
Europe: Europe witnessed a Padel pro tour in 2005 as a result of an agreement between two famous regional associations: the Association of Professional Players of Padel (AJPP) and the Spanish Feminine Association of Pádel (AFEP).
Spain: The Spanish-speaking countries have had a never-ending passion for Padel since the beginning, especially Spain, where Padel is the second most popular sport after Football.
Sweden: Sweden contributes to the highest search volume of Padel across the globe after Spain. In 2021, the Swedish Padel Association was included in the Swedish Sports Confederation.
UK: Along with Spain, the UK also witnessed an increased popularity of Padel. In 2011, the country launched its first-ever UK Padel Federation. From 2019 to 2022, the UK added 210 Padel courts and 90,000 additional Padel players.
Asia: In 2014, Singapore opened its first Swiss Padel court. Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Kuwait also witnessed a rapid growth of Padel courts.
North America: In the US, the Padel Association was established in 1993 in Chattanooga, TN. Thereafter, in 1995, the American Padel Association was formed. The Padel Association forecasts the development of 30,000 courts in the US by 2030.
New Zealand: In October 2023, the first padel club in New Zealand was founded. Later, the Padel New Zealand was established in the country. The body is responsible for running national and international padel competitions.
Australia and Oceania: In 2023, Australia registered more than seven padel clubs. As of 2023, you can find Padel courts in Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and Albury. Additionally, Padel is supported by Tennis Australia. In 2023, the first-ever Australian Padel Open was held alongside the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena.
Popular Sportsperson Related to Padel
Tennis stars such as Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco, and Roberta Vinci have become associated with Padel. Joining the ranks of Padel fans include various footballers and athletes, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lewis Hamilton, and Alessandro Del Piero.
Future of Padel
With global fanfare showing no sign of cooling off anytime soon, the future of Padel looks promising. Padel is expected to experience great expansion and growth worldwide in the years ahead. Globaly, court construction is expected to increase 26% by 2025. While Spain remains the padel powerhouse with over 22,000 courts, countries like Sweden, Italy, the UK, and the US are rapidly catching up. This geographical diversification indicates Padel's potential to transcend its traditional strongholds and become a truly global phenomenon. Additionally, the World Padel Tour (WPT) is witnessing unparalleled growth, with increasing viewership, sponsorships, and prize money.
Padel has quickly captured the hearts and minds of sports enthusiasts worldwide.The game of Padel has emerged as a dynamic and captivating sport, blending elements from tennis and squash, with its roots tracing back to Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969. The global surge in interest, particularly post-pandemic, has propelled Padel into the spotlight. While traditional strongholds like Spain continue to thrive, new players on the scene have propelled the sport’s popularity across the globe..
Padel’s unprecedented growth solidifies Padelas an exciting and commercially viable sport.With a bright future ahead, Padel is well-positioned to carve its niche in the world of sports, offering enthusiasts a thrilling and engaging experience on the courts.