The ball swooshes past you, rebounds off the wall, bounces, and is within your reach—now is your chance to strike it back to the opposing team!

Welcome to a dynamic, fast-paced, and increasingly popular racket sport called padel. In many ways, padel closely resembles others like tennis, pickleball, and racquetball, and its scoring system is even similar to the former. However, other elements make this game an appealing standout, particularly for those who want to experience a thrilling, intense workout.

Its beginnings

Padel’s origins trace back to Acapulco. In 1969, Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera developed the sport in his home’s backyard. Because he and his wife, Viviana, lacked the space for a full-sized tennis court, he constructed a smaller one with walls that would help prevent balls from flying into their neighbor’s yard. Corcuera then adapted this more intimate game with more appropriate equipment, including a wooden paddle and a softer ball—and it quickly became a hit among their social circle.

Among that circle was his friend Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe of Spain, who played the game on a trip to the city in 1974. He helped popularize the game in his homeland, and it trickled into other nations. Padel is now one of the fastest-growing sports globally, even being monitored by the IOC, which determines new sports for the Olympics.

However, its mainstream popularity here in the United States is much more recent—just two years ago, it was largely unknown outside niche communities. But the United States Padel Association (USPA), the national governing body for the sport in the US, has reported a surge in court construction, new club openings, and tournament participation across the country. In fact, the USPA sanctioned over 120 tournaments in 2025 alone, and interest is continuing to rise. This means that if the game itself or a desire to get fit doesn’t inspire you to play, simple fear of missing out could very well be the clincher.

A court of its own

Just what does playing padel entail? As with other racket sports, it requires making skilled strikes across the net in the hope that your opponents can’t return them. But several twists make the game distinct and perhaps easier to take up.

For one, it is typically played in pairs, and the more compact padel court has high glass walls or fences that enable the ball to bounce off them. The close proximity of players and multiple routes for the ball to travel add a unique, strategic dimension to the game. “The walls allow you to have a very varied way of playing, including using them to make tricky, effective shots,” says Joseph P. from London, a dedicated player who discovered the sport a few years ago while vacationing in Spain.

Unlike tennis, where powerful strikes dominate, padel places more emphasis on ball placement, quick reflexes, and continual teamwork. In addition, the game is played with a whole new kind of racket—a perforated and stringless composite one—and an innovative, less pressurized tennis ball. Such equipment helps padel achieve its distinct, addictively fast-paced physics with more three-dimensional play throughout the court. The result is a sport that’s both physically engaging and easy for even beginners to enjoy.

Getting involved

While padel is engaging and highly stimulating, one of its noteworthy features is its easy learning curve. In fact, the USPA suggests that this may be behind the sport’s spiking popularity.

But make no mistake: while the game is simple to take up and its rules seem straightforward, it takes consistent practice to master. However, just about anyone can excel with enough practice; Joseph P. notes that as he’s played regularly with friends, he’s noticed himself become more adept at hitting accurate shots, understanding the unique footwork involved, and having good rallies.

Should you play?

The only question that remains, then, is whether this game is right for you. Like many vigorous sports, playing padel may introduce numerous wellness benefits into your lifestyle, such as improved heart health. Additionally, it’s an excellent potential boon for socializing, an important component of mental health. Joseph P. confirms that the two-on-two format encourages this. “You can definitely start playing easygoing games with mates and get better together,” he says.

If you’re curious about trying your hand at this sport, the best way to begin is to find a padel facility near you. (Padel courts are currently available in thirty-one states nationwide.) From there, book an introductory match or clinic. The USPA advises visiting one of the many clubs that offer rental equipment, beginner classes, and sessions for beginners—a cautious choice if you’d like to test your mettle before purchasing gear. It also notes that people can visit its website to find sanctioned clubs, tournaments, and events in their region, and its social media pages display exciting highlights and details for those who wish to learn more about the game.

Once you do partake, expect to get an excellent, thrilling workout that is sure to hook you. “I’m not too sure why, but for some reason I am ten times sweatier after a padel game than I am after my weekly five-a-side football [soccer] match,” Joseph P. recalls. “Maybe it’s because of the specific movements, but it’s a good workout for sure!”

For more info, visit padelusa.org