• 14 Aug 2024

Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world. Almost 30 million active players play Padel in over 130 countries. It’s worthwhile to ask the following 10 key questions about Padel:

1. Why is Padel so popular?
2. How is Padel played?
3. When did Padel become popular?
4. Where is Padel most popular?
5. Why is Padel a good sport?
6. Which Padel brand is the best?
7. What Padel level am I?
8. What Padel racket should I buy?
9. When was Padel invented?
10. Will Padel become an Olympic sport?

1. 1. Why is padel so popular?

2. Padel is a thrilling racket sport that combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton. Invented in Mexico in 1969, padel has exploded in popularity worldwide, particularly in Spain, Portugal, South America, and currently in the UK and USA.
   Padel’s accessibility, progressive learning curve, low physical exertion, cross-generational appeal, affordability, and vibrant community make it an incredibly fun and rapidly growing sport that is attracting players of all ages and skill levels.

3. 2. How is Padel played?

4. Padel is a doubles game where players are on a smaller court surrounded by walls. They use solid padel rackets to hit a ball back and forth.
   Before a Padel match, teams decide who serves first by a coin toss. The serving team must bounce the ball into the opponent’s diagonal service box. Teams score points if the opposing team fails to return the ball after one bounce on their side.
   Games are scored like tennis, winning by two clear points if tied. The first team to win six games by a two-game lead takes the set. If tied at six games each, a first-to-seven tiebreaker with a two-point lead wins the set. The match goes to the first team to capture two sets.
   Read more below for an in-depth explanation of Padel rules and scoring.

5. 3. When did Padel become popular?

6. Padel has been climbing the popularity poles steadily over the last 50 years; however, it was in the 2000s that people started playing Padel as a hobby, and it was not until the WPT’s international tournaments that Padel started getting international recognition. 
   Nowadays, it is the fastest-growing sport, with over 4 continents playing it. 

7. 4. Where is Padel most popular?

8. Padel has been gaining popularity all over the globe steadily in the last few years, but it reached peak popularity in Spain and Latin American countries thanks to the Spanish Padel Association and the FIP. Read more below. 

9. 5. Why is Padel a good sport?

10. Padel combines elements of tennis and squash. It is easy for beginners to learn but challenging to master. Padel provides an enjoyable way to exercise and meet new people. While accessible for all skill levels, it allows continuous development through practice. Read more below. 

11. 6. Which Padel brand is the best?

12. With Padel’s rise in popularity, many sports companies jumped on the bandwagon to create merchandise and expand into the Padel market. However, we recommend consulting with brands that specialize in creating and designing materials specific for Padel, like PADEL1969. 

13. 7. What Padel level am I?

14. Knowing your padel level will help you find a well-matched opponent for the most enjoyable games. This guide evaluates key areas like rule knowledge, court movement, strategy, and playing style to rate your playing level from beginner (level 1) to expert (level 10). With practice, coaching, and setting realistic goals, you can steadily advance your padel level.

15. 8. What Padel racket should I buy?

16. Choosing the perfect racket for your unique style of play can be daring. Find below comprehensive blogs that will help you pick the one. 

17. 9. When was Padel invented?

18. Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, by Enrique Corcuera and his wife. The first padel court was built in the backyard of Corcuera’s villa in Acapulco. It was designed as a mini-tennis court surrounded by walls, combining elements of tennis and squash. However, the original Padel court no longer exists. Read more below to learn why. 

19. 10. Will Padel become an Olympic sport?

20. Amid exploding worldwide popularity, padel has a potential path to becoming an Olympic sport by continuing to expand its global reach and potentially debuting as an exhibition event at the upcoming Olympics (2028 Los Angeles) before gaining official Olympic status in 2032 Brisbane.