Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court. The walls are part of the game, which means the ball can bounce off the glass before you play your shot. That is the key reason padel feels different from tennis, squash, or anything else you may have tried.
It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Spain has over 20,000 courts. Argentina has been playing it for decades. And now the UK is catching up fast, with new clubs and covered courts opening every month.
Already know the basics and want to get playing? Start here: best padel racket for beginners UK and shop our beginner racket range.
The Padel Court
A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, making it much smaller than a tennis court. It is enclosed by glass walls and metal mesh fencing, which is what gives padel its identity. Once the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the glass and still be played.
The net runs across the middle at 88cm high at the posts and 92cm in the centre. The service boxes, net, and scoring system will all feel familiar if you have played tennis before, but the court plays very differently once the walls come into it.
Court dimensions at a glance
- Length: 20 metres
- Width: 10 metres
- Net height: 88cm at the posts, 92cm in the centre
- Walls: glass at the back and sides, metal mesh above
- Always played as doubles - 4 players per court
How Padel Works: The Basic Rules
Padel is always played as doubles, with two players on each side. The scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, set, match. Most matches are best of three sets, with the first side to six games taking the set.
The two big differences from tennis are the serve and the walls.
Serving in padel
- The serve is always underarm - you bounce the ball first and strike it below waist height
- You serve diagonally into the opposite service box, just like tennis
- You get two serves, just like tennis
- The ball must not bounce above waist height before you hit it
The walls rule
- After the ball bounces once on your side, it can hit the wall and you can still play it
- You cannot let the ball bounce twice before hitting it
- The ball can hit the wall on your opponent's side after you play your shot - it is still in
- If the ball goes out of the court or cannot be returned after the bounce, the point is over
Those are the basics. That is why most beginners are able to have proper rallies in their first session. Padel has one of the fastest learning curves of any racket sport.
Padel vs Tennis: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most common beginner questions. Padel and tennis share a scoring system and some familiar court markings, but they play very differently in practice.
The key differences
- Court size: Padel courts are much smaller, which means less running and more constant action
- The walls: In padel, the glass is part of the game. There is no equivalent in tennis
- The serve: Padel uses an underarm serve, which is much easier for beginners to learn
- The racket: Padel rackets are solid and stringless, usually made from fiberglass or carbon
- Always doubles: Padel is always played 2v2, which makes it more social by default
- Power vs placement: In padel, patience and positioning matter more than pure hitting power
The biggest practical difference is how quickly most people enjoy it. Tennis often takes time before rallies become enjoyable. Padel usually feels playable within a few sessions, which is a huge part of why it is growing so quickly.
Why Is Padel Booming in the UK?
The UK now has over 350 padel courts across more than 120 venues, and that number is growing every month. Five years ago, padel was still niche in Britain. Now it is one of the fastest-growing participation sports in the country.
There are a few clear reasons why padel has taken off so quickly:
- It is social by design. You always play doubles, so it is easier to play with friends and easier to meet people.
- It is easy to start. Beginners can rally quickly without needing years of technical work.
- It suits the UK. Covered and indoor courts make it viable in British weather.
- It has cultural momentum. High-profile players, celebrities, and clubs have pushed padel into the mainstream.
- It is genuinely fun. The walls, longer rallies, and smaller court make it exciting from the start.
How to Get Started With Padel in the UK
Getting into padel is easier than most beginners expect. Here is the simple version:
Step 1: Find a court near you
Use a UK padel court directory or search locally for clubs, leisure centres, or tennis venues with padel courts. Most major UK cities now have at least one venue nearby.
Step 2: Book a beginner session or taster
Most clubs run beginner sessions, intros, or social games. This is the quickest way to learn the basics and start playing with people at your level.
Step 3: Get your own racket
Most venues hire rackets, but once you start playing properly, having your own helps a lot. For beginners, a round-shaped racket between £60 and £120 is ideal. See our beginner racket guide for exactly what to look for.
Step 4: Avoid these common mistakes
Most new players make the same errors early on. Read our guide to 7 padel beginner mistakes before your first proper sessions and you will improve faster.
What Gear Do You Need to Play Padel?
One reason padel is so accessible is that you do not need much equipment to get started. The essentials are simple:
Essential gear
- A padel racket: Solid frame, no strings. For beginners, look for a round shape between 355-365g with a soft EVA core. Browse beginner rackets at CORTA.
- Padel balls: They look similar to tennis balls but are slightly less pressurised for the smaller court. Shop padel balls at CORTA.
- Court shoes: Any non-marking court shoe works at first. Dedicated padel shoes usually offer better grip and movement on artificial grass.
Nice to have
- Overgrip: Cheap, effective, and useful from day one for better feel and sweat absorption.
- A padel bag: Helps protect your racket and carry balls, shoes, and accessories.
That is genuinely enough to begin. A proper beginner setup for padel is far more affordable than many people expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
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