What is Padel?

Padel tennis started in Mexico in 1969. It has quickly become the largest racket sport in Argentina and Spain and is growing faster than any other sport in the world right now. There is a possibility that it will become an Olympic sport at the 2028 olympics. It is predominantly a doubles sport, but it can be played with just 2 people on a narrower court. Here is a brief outline of how to play:

  • The Court

    The court is 10m x 20m and laid out similarly to a tennis court. The main difference: it is smaller and has glass and caged walls.

  • The Configuration

    Doubles (mostly). Like doubles tennis.

  • The Racket

    The racket is a solid bat with holes in it. A padel racket weighs between 360-375g.

  • The Ball

    The ball is like a tennis ball with a slightly lower compression. It is therefore a slightly slower sport than tennis.

  • The Serve

    The ball is served cross court to the opponent. The serve is underarm and the ball is bounced before it is hit. The ball has to be hit below waist height.

  • The Rally

    The rally is then played out like a normal tennis rally except you can use the walls. You cannot hit any part of the glass or cage full toss, but can hit a shot that has come off the walls once the ball has bounced.

  • The Sides

    The serve cannot hit the glass full toss but can hit the glass after it has bounced on the opposite side of the court. The serve must not hit the cage either full toss or after a bounce. Then the sides are in play!

  • The Scoring

    The same as tennis scoring. Love, 15, 30, 40, game. A set is first to 6 games.

Why Padel?

Padel is taking the world by storm, and rightly so. It’s a sociable game that can be enjoyed, no matter what your experience level. There aren’t many games that can be enjoyed by people of different standards whilst playing together, so whether you are a group of mates, a family, or an individual looking to get active, come and get on court!

  • It’s accessible.

    Because of the walls and the slower speed of the ball, it is a more accessible game for all levels than tennis. You can be a beginner or an expert and still have a great hit. It requires less technique to be able to really enjoy it.

  • It's Sociable

    Being predominantly a doubles sport and contained within a box, you are closer with your partner, spend less time collecting balls from around the court, and communicate more with everyone on court.

  • It's a Great Way to Meet New People

    If you haven’t got your complete 4, there will always be people wanting to play! Because of the nature of the game, players of all standards can mix well on a court.

  • It's Affordable

    Being a doubles game means that the cost of a court is split between 4 people. An hour of padel costs about half the price of an average cinema ticket.

  • It’s Perfect for Different Levels of Mobility and Fitness

    You do not have to be Rafael Nadal to be able to get around a court to hit the ball!

  • It’s Indoor and Outdoor

    You can play padel in any conditions, all year round.

Padel Tennis FAQs

  • We have two fantastic centres where you can book to play padel. We are also developing more sites all the time. Keep an eye on the website for new sites as we announce them!

  • Yes! Sign up to play at our centres and we will add you to a session with other players. It’s a great way to meet people of a similar standard. Our booking system also allows you to add your contacts to your reservation.

  • No, you can come and play whenever you like without a membership. We offer subscriptions that will give you benefits such as early booking rights and money off your bookings, but you do not have to become a cardholder to use our Padel Project UK centres.

  • Yes, if you cancel more than 24 hours before your booking is due, we will refund your booking with points that you can use for future reservations.

  • No, we only accept card payments for court bookings and sports equipment.

  • Play in adverse weather conditions is a personal choice and is at each player’s risk. If we deem the courts unplayable, you can request a credit to be applied to the player’s Padel Project UK points account equal to 100% of the fee paid. The requests must be made within 24 hours and sent in writing.

  • Yes, you can rent a racket and buy balls from all of our centres and reserve your equipment online at the time of making your bookingWe also have a range of rackets available for sale.

  • Sports kit is all you need. Trainers, and what you’d wear for other sports, but not football boots or any footwear with studs.

  • Yes! Padel is a slower sport than tennis because of the lower compression of the ball. The walls keep the ball in play for longer, and the smaller court size all help make padel an easier sport than tennis.

  • Lessons are the fastest way to improve your technique and get the most out of the game. We offer a free introductory session and lots of group sessions to help you improve and get more time on court.

  • Padel balls are slightly smaller and slightly softer than tennis balls. You should only play padel with padel balls.

  • Yes, but it is not essential. You can pick up a padel bat having never played any racket sports and you will still really enjoy it.

  • You can hit the ball on to the glass wall to get it back over to the other side of the court (this shot is called a boast). You cannot hit the ball on to the cage on your side of the court though.

  • No. Padel rackets are solid with holes in the middle, and do not have strings.

  • Yes! You can smash the ball on to the opponent’s side of the court so hard that it bounces out of the court. Until the ball bounces twice, it is still in play. You can still lob it back into the court if you’re good / fast enough!

  • No sport is completely risk free, and injury is always a possibility. Padel is not a contact sport, and the rackets have wrist straps on them to eliminate risk of one slipping out of your grip.