Padel
Padel players on outdoor padel courts | |
| Highest governing body | International Padel Federation (FIP) |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Paddle (US, Canada) |
| First played | 1969, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | No |
| Team members | Usually doubles |
| Mixed-sex | Separate competitions (mixed sometimes in leagues) |
| Type | Racquet sport |
| Equipment | Padel racquet, padel ball |
| Venue | Outdoor or indoor padel court |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | No |
| Paralympic | No |
Padel (Spanish: pádel) is a racket sport typically played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court. It has the same scoring system as tennis, but different rules, strokes, and technique. The balls are similar but softer. The bats are solid (without strings). Balls can be played off the court walls, similar to squash. A service must place the ball at or below the waist level. Padel originated in Mexico.
As of 2023, there were more than 25 million active players in more than 90 countries, according to the International Padel Federation (FIP). Padel is worth about €2bn a year and growing fast.
The Padel World Championship is held every second year since 1992, with Argentina (every time), Spain or Brazil reaching the final in every competition.