Padel Tennis Court is one of the fastest growing grassroots sports in Europe. It is easy to learn, fun, sociable and now officially recognised as a tennis variation. Read on to find out more about the sport and how you can get involved.
A padel court is a rectangular field smaller than a tennis court, surrounded by walls, with the area in front of the net determined by a line in the middle of the court and 3 meters from each wall. The walls can be made of concrete blocks or glass, or metal fencing if outside.
The playing surface is usually a mix of concrete and synthetic grass or artificial turf. The underlying drainage system means the fields can be used all year round, even after heavy rains. This makes a padel field an ideal option for public and private facilities that want to offer the sport all year round, or for school and university sports clubs looking to expand their activities.
Padel Tennis Court Dimensions and Regulations: What You Need to Know
As in any racket sport, serving is at the heart of a panel game. To ensure the fairest possible return given the compact nature of the courts, players serve underhand and the ball must be hit below waist height. There are a variety of faults, such as hitting above the waist or serving out of the service box, which can penalize a player and lead to points being lost.
The game can be played by up to eight people at once, but padel is often played in pairs and encourages teamwork. As well as being a social activity, the game is fast and enjoyable to play and not as reliant on power and technique as traditional tennis, making it suitable for men, women and children of all ages and abilities.