The Rise of Padel: Tennis’ Little Brother

For decades, tennis ruled the courts uncontested. But now, a new sound echoes from behind the fences — the pop-pop of padel balls rebounding off glass walls. Fast, sociable, and remarkably addictive, padel has exploded in popularity across Europe and beyond, quietly becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

Is it tennis? Not quite. Is it squash? Close, but not really. Padel sits somewhere in between — its own hybrid species with distinct rules, style, and culture. And it’s drawing crowds, celebrities, and seasoned athletes like never before.

What Is Padel?

Padel is a doubles-only racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. The rules closely resemble tennis, but the walls are in play, the serve is underarm, and the racket is solid, without strings. Rallying is longer, points are quicker, and tactics often outweigh power.

Unlike tennis, which demands years of technique to play competitively, padel is intuitive. It’s easy to learn, hard to master — a dynamic that’s proved irresistible to beginners and former racket sport players alike.

A Global Phenomenon Born in Mexico

Padel was invented in 1969 by Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera, who adapted his home squash court to play a modified version of tennis with friends. The idea caught on in Argentina and Spain, where it became embedded in sporting culture. By the early 2000s, padel courts had spread across Latin America and southern Europe, particularly among recreational players.

Today, Spain is considered the sport’s epicentre, boasting more padel players than tennis. In Sweden, courts have quadrupled in under five years. The UK is now catching up, with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) supporting padel’s growth under its national development strategy.

Why It’s Catching On

It’s not just the novelty that makes padel thrive. There’s a genuine sense of joy in how quickly players can get into a rally, how evenly matched mixed-level pairs can be, and how social the format feels. It doesn’t require brute force or elite fitness — just quick hands, smart angles, and a willingness to move. Celebrities like Andy Murray, David Beckham, and Zlatan Ibrahimović have sung its praises, and professional padel leagues are emerging fast, especially in Europe and the Middle East.

There’s also a business factor: clubs are installing padel courts because they take up less space than tennis courts, require fewer resources to build, and are more frequently booked due to shorter match times.

A New Era or a Passing Trend?

Sceptics argue that padel could fizzle out like other racket sport fads. But its exponential growth, paired with increasing institutional support and media visibility, suggests it’s here to stay — not as a replacement for tennis, but as its more accessible, more sociable cousin.

As more parks, gyms, and clubs embrace the sport, padel may soon do what few sports manage: unite elite players, casual beginners, and weekend hobbyists on the same court, with equal enjoyment.

Let me know if you’d like a follow-up piece comparing the rise of padel to pickleball in the US, or perhaps a profile of a UK-based padel club riding the wave.