Because padel tennis is the fastest growing sport in the world.
Padel (a.k.a. padel tennis) is officially the fastest growing sport in the world. According to Padel United UK, it is now played by 12 million people across the globe, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Serena Williams loves a game of padel, as does David Beckham, and an average of 12k of you search for advice on padel every month.
What is padel?
Padel is a racquet sport that is very social.
It combines some of the most advantageous features of squash and tennis. The court is smaller than a tennis court, it’s always played in doubles (four players), and it has a fence and glass side and back walls, which enable for far longer rallies than in tennis. It is simpler for men and women to play matches together than tennis since it depends more on strategies than strength and power.
Where does padel come from?
Padel was invented in Mexico in the 1960s, but it has since become extremely popular in South America and Spain, with Argentina and Spain dominating both the World Cup and the World Padel Tour.
Padel was actually created in Mexico in 1969 by a man by the name of Enrique Corcuera. It is now formally acknowledged in Britain as a tennis discipline.
How to play padel
The game is played in doubles on a court that is 25% smaller than a tennis court and has glass walls for ball rebound. The bats have a shorter grip and no strings, while the ball is comparable to a tennis ball but has less pressure.
What are the padel rules?
Six-game sets are scored, with a difference of two games, or a tiebreaker if the game is tied. The match is decided by best of three sets. Always serve with your underarm.
Benefits of playing padel
Besides the fact that it’s easier than tennis, there are plenty of health rewards to be reaped:
It improves cardiovascular fitness
It helps build core, glute and leg strength
It improves balance
It improves coordination
It improves mental focus
It helps ‘delay mental ageing as it requires constant concentration and change of tactics’
It’s a great form of social interaction
The social aspect of padel is what makes it stand out. This is what makes the sport so special, and explains its incredibly rapid growth worldwide.
Who can play padel?
Padel is appropriate for people of all ages and genders. We have players as young as three and those who are 75 years old. Those over 40 who have injuries from other sports, such as football or tennis, or who no longer have the energy to play for extended periods of time often take up padel and go on to compete effectively in tournaments.
There are always three more players who can join them on the court for a competitive, yet friendly, and highly social match, regardless of anyone’s ability or age.
Who should stay away from playing padel?
The sport is open to everyone. But, if you play frequently, you should be aware of the signs of tennis elbow, which can develop as a result of overuse.
What equipment is required for padel?
The following equipment is required:
A padel racket (these should be provided at your local club, but for those of you who would like to purchase your own, they’re quite affordable as they’re typically composed of plastic and foam).
Uninflated balls (slightly smaller than tennis balls)
basic athletic clothing
Clay court or padel shoes (these may not be essential, depending on where you play – standard trainers can also work)