What is Padel?

Padel tennis, often simply called padel, is a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash into a dynamic and engaging game. Padel has quickly become popular in Europe, especially in Denmark, because it is a fun, social, and easily accessible sport that can be played by children, adults, and seniors alike—regardless of physical ability or technical skill.

The game originated in Mexico, where Enrique Corcuera developed the first courts in 1969. Since then, padel has spread globally, first in Spain and Latin America, and today it is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

Why is padel so popular?

It is easy to learn and does not require much technical experience.
It is a social sport, played as doubles with four players on the court.
It is less physically demanding than tennis or squash, making it accessible for children, adults, and seniors.

The Padel Court

A padel court is a mix between a tennis court and a squash court. It is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, enclosed by glass walls and metal fencing, which are actively used during gameplay.

Court structure:

Back and side walls: Made of glass, 3–4 meters high.
Metal fencing: The rest of the court is enclosed by a metal mesh, also part of the game.
Net: A net divides the court in half, measuring 88 cm high in the center and 92 cm at the sides.
Surface: Usually artificial turf, which is gentle on knees and joints.

The court is smaller than a tennis court, resulting in shorter distances between players and more intense rallies.

Padel Tennis Equipment

To get started with padel, you need minimal equipment. Instead of a traditional racket, a padel bat is used—shorter, stringless, and with a solid surface and small holes. This design offers good control and is easy to handle, even for beginners.

The ball used in padel resembles a tennis ball but has lower pressure, making it less bouncy and easier to control.

Special padel shoes are recommended as they provide better grip and support on artificial turf, improving performance and reducing the risk of injury.

You can read more about the equipment needed for padel here.

How to Play Padel Tennis

Padel is always played as doubles, meaning four players on the court at a time—two per team. The game begins with a serve where the ball must bounce once before being hit diagonally across the net. The serve must be underhanded, and the ball must be below waist height at the moment of contact.

Once in play, the ball can be returned after bouncing once. It may hit the glass walls, but must cross the net before bouncing a second time on your own side. This allows players to use the walls strategically to create angles and surprise opponents.

Padel doesn't require physical strength like tennis does. Instead, it’s about timing, precision, and strategy—making the game suitable for all ages and skill levels.

The Serve

The serve in padel is underhand and must be made from behind the service line.
The ball must bounce once before being hit and must be below waist height at the moment of contact.
The serve must land in the opponent's diagonal service box.

Tip: A good serve puts your opponents under pressure.

Game Flow

The ball must be returned before bouncing twice on your own side.
The ball may hit the glass walls but must be returned over the net before it bounces twice.
Players actively use the walls to create angles and unpredictable shots.

Scoring in Padel Tennis

The scoring system in padel is the same as in tennis. A team scores a point when the ball bounces twice on the opponent’s side or if the opponent fails to return the ball properly.

Points are given in the following order: 0, 15, 30, 40, and game. If the score reaches 40-40, a team must win two consecutive points to win the game. A match is usually best of three sets, with each set won by reaching six games with a lead of at least two games.

Specifically, it looks like this:

0, 15, 30, 40, game.
A set is won by winning 6 games with at least a 2-game lead.
A match is played best of 3 sets.

Points are awarded if:

The ball bounces twice on the opponent's side.
The ball hits the fence on your own side.
The ball touches a player or equipment.
The ball is hit directly out of bounds without bouncing.

You can read more about the rules of padel here

Benefits of Playing Padel Tennis

One of the big advantages of padel is that it is easy to learn, even for beginners. The basic rules and techniques can be learned in under an hour, making it easy to jump right into fun and challenging matches.

Padel is also a sport that doesn't place high physical demands. The surface is gentle on joints and muscles, and the game is played on a smaller court with shorter runs. Compared to tennis, badminton, and squash, the risk of injury is therefore lower.

In addition, padel is a very social activity. Since it's played as doubles, there's plenty of opportunity for interaction—whether playing with friends, family, or colleagues. The compact court means players are always close to each other, creating an intense and entertaining atmosphere.

Padel Tennis in Denmark

Although padel first arrived in Denmark in 2007, it wasn’t until 2018 that the sport experienced explosive growth. By the beginning of 2023, there were more than 1,000 padel courts across the country, and the sport continues to grow. Many padel centers are privately owned, which has driven rapid development as more investors have seen the potential of creating modern facilities for both beginners and experienced players.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, padel became a popular choice for Danes as it could be played outdoors with good distance between players. This period laid a strong foundation for the sport's popularity, which continues today.

Tips for Getting Started with Padel Tennis

If you're new to padel, it's a good idea to start by renting equipment and booking a court with friends or family. Learn the basic rules and focus on getting a feel for the game. Practice using the walls and figure out how best to position yourself on the court.

Padel is largely about teamwork with your partner. Communication and good strategy are key to winning rallies, as the game is less about brute force and more about timing and precision.

Try Padel Today

Padel tennis is a sport that combines fun, exercise, and social interaction in a way few other sports can. With its simple setup and easy rules, padel is ideal for both beginners and experienced players who want an active and entertaining sport.

Whether you're looking for a new hobby or want to improve your skills as a padel player, there are plenty of opportunities in Denmark. Book your next padel court with Wannasport and discover why padel has taken the world by storm.