All You Need to Know about Padel: An Overview of Its History, Popularity, and Fundamentals

Are you looking for a fun and engaging sport to play with friends and family? Look no further than padel! Padel, also known as paddle tennis, is a relatively new sport that has taken the world by storm. In this article, we’ll provide you with an overview of its history, popularity, and fundamentals.

History of Padel

Padel was invented in the 1960s in Mexico by Enrique Corcuera. He was looking for a way to play tennis on a smaller court, using smaller and more manageable rackets. The first padel court was built in Acapulco, and the sport quickly grew in popularity throughout Latin America.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that padel started to make its way to Europe, with Spain being the first country to embrace the sport. Today, padel is played all over the world, with over 8 million people estimated to be playing the sport.

Popularity of Padel

One of the reasons why padel has become so popular is because it is an incredibly social sport. Padel is typically played in doubles, and the smaller court size means that players are constantly interacting and engaging with their opponents.

Another reason for the popularity of padel is that it is so easy to learn. You don’t need to have any previous experience playing tennis or any other racket sport to pick up padel. The rules are simple, and it’s a sport that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.

Fundamentals of Padel

The fundamentals of padel are very similar to tennis, with a few key differences. The sport is played on a smaller court, which is about a third of the size of a tennis court. The ball used in padel is also slightly smaller and less bouncy than a tennis ball.

The game starts with an underhand serve, and players must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. The ball can then be volleyed or played off the bounce, and the point is won when the ball is hit past the opponent, or if the opponent hits the ball out of bounds.

In padel, the walls surrounding the court are also in play. Players can hit the ball off the walls, using them to create angles and add variety to their shots.

Conclusion

Padel is a fun, social, and accessible sport that has grown in popularity around the world. Its history is relatively short, but its future looks bright as more and more people discover this exciting sport. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, padel is a great way to stay active, have fun, and make new friends. So why not give it a try?