Molly Flores/CNN Underscored
The newest racket sport and exercise trend on the US court is padel. It combines elements of tennis and squash and is played on a smaller court enclosed by walls. While pickleball was trending in the US during the pandemic, globally padel really took off during this time, and is now starting to grow its reach here. And though it may be known for its strategic rallies and fun, social atmosphere, anyone can play this sport. Whether you’re a seasoned tennis player or a complete beginner, padel is a great way to get some exercise and meet new people.
Padel is a racket sport that offers the athleticism of tennis, intensity of squash and speed of pickleball. The game is similar to tennis in that points are scored by winning rallies. The same terminology is used as tennis — love (no point), 15, 30, 40 and game. However, unlike tennis, there is no advantage, so if the score is 40-40 you play a single golden point to determine the game’s winner.
To learn more about the game, we enlisted New York’s premier padel club for a lesson and expertise. “Beyond the differences in rackets, the largest difference between padel and tennis is that the ball can be played off of the walls that surround the court. In addition, padel is always played in doubles; which makes it an incredibly social and community-based sport,” says Santiago Gomez, Founder & CEO of PadelHaus, which operates year-round padel clubs based in NYC and is expanding to other major cities. While padel is still emerging in the US, you can find it in major cities like NYC, Miami, Dallas and LA. The ability to play the ball off the walls after the bounce adds a strategic element to the game, as you can use the walls to angle your shots or lob the ball over your opponents.
Absolutely! Padel is designed to be beginner-friendly. The court is a third of the size of a tennis court, and the walls can be used to your advantage to extend rallies. Plus, the padel racket is solid-faced and has a strap, making it easier to control than a tennis racket.
I played padel for the very first time while writing this story, and within an hour understood all of the rules and started to pick up on the strategy of the game. I played alongside my 75 year old father, so can attest it is great for varied ages.
To play padel, you’ll need a padel racket and padel balls. Padel rackets are solid-faced and smaller than tennis rackets. They also have a strap to help you secure the racket in your hand. Padel balls are similar to tennis balls, but indoor balls are depressurized to make them bounce slower off the walls.
Padel is a relatively inexpensive sport to get started with. Padel rackets range in price from around $50 to over $200, and padel balls are relatively inexpensive as well. Many padel clubs offer court rentals and lessons even if you are not a member.
The best padel rackets and balls
“For beginners, we recommend either padel or clay tennis shoes, a round-shaped padel racket made of carbon fiber and EVA foam, and a nice-looking athletic kit (because looking good on the court is important!).” Gomez shares.
When choosing a padel racket, consider your experience level and playing style. Beginner rackets are typically round, lighter in design and more forgiving. Advanced rackets can be diamond-shaped, offering more power and less control in its heavier form. There is also a teardrop head, which combines the benefits of both and tends to be very popular for their versatility.
This lightweight teardrop racket offers a good balance between power and control, making it ideal for beginners who are still developing their swing. The forgiving sweet spot and comfortable grip will help you make solid contact with the ball, and the durable construction can withstand the occasional accidental bump against the wall.
Tall players often benefit from a longer padel racket that provides greater reach. The Head Graphene 360+ Alpha Pro is a great option, with a length of 48.5 cm. This racket also features a head-light balance for increased maneuverability.
Padel balls come in two varieties: pressurized and depressurized. Pressurized balls are used for outdoor play, while depressurized balls are used for indoor play.
Indoor padel balls are depressurized to prevent them from bouncing too high off the court’s walls. Head Padel Pro balls are a popular choice for indoor play, offering a good balance of liveliness and control.
Outdoor padel balls are pressurized to withstand the elements and maintain a consistent bounce. Dunlop Padel balls are a reliable option for outdoor play, with a durable construction and a lively feel.
When you’re first starting out, there’s no need to spend a lot on padel balls. Slazenger Padel balls are a good value option for beginners, offering good performance at an affordable price.
When playing padel, it is recommended you wear padel shoes, or at a minimum a pair of tennis or pickleball shoes. Padel-specific shoes often incorporate a herringbone tread pattern that allows for better traction on lateral movements and a reinforced toe for protection if your toe drags. Below are expert-recommended shoes to consider, based upon your playing style and needs, and what type of court you’re playing on.
This is a versatile shoe that offers a good balance of cushioning, support and durability. It features a breathable mesh upper for comfort, a midsole with Bounce technology for shock absorption, and a grippy outsole specifically designed for traction and durability to hold up well on courts.
The Babolat Movea is a high-performance option that provides excellent stability, support and responsiveness. It has a snug fit, a durable construction, and a Michelin rubber outsole for superior traction on padel courts. The two straps around midfoot are designed for added support that’s needed for the lateral footwork of padel.
Padel shoes often run a bit narrow, which can be uncomfortable for players with wider feet like me. The K-Swiss Express Light Wide offers a wider fit without sacrificing performance. It features a breathable upper, a supportive midsole and a durable outsole with a good grip.