The sport is thought to have been invented in Acapulco, Mexico, by Enrique Corcuera in 1969, after he modified his squash court to incorporate elements of platform tennis.
Many well-known professional padel players have previously competed in tennis, including former WTA Tour players Roberta Vinci and Lara Arruabarrena.
Padel remained a niche sport for decades but its popularity soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as it could be played outdoor and didn't involve physical contact.
Padel was included in the 2023 European Games. The International Padel Federation (FIP) wants to have 75 national federations for padel to become an Olympic sport for the 2032 Summer Olympics.
Three padel courts can fit in one tennis court so many tennis clubs are converting tennis courts to padel courts as it is more profitable for business owners.
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Players: Usually play doubles on a 10 by 20 meter court (32' 10" by 65' 7")
Singles use a 6 by 20 meter (19' 8" by 65' 7") court instead.
Serves: Serves are always underhand. Balls that hit the walls around the court after bouncing on the ground are still in play.
Balls: Padel balls are required in official matches; these are similar to tennis balls but are slightly smaller. Padel is usually played casually with regular tennis balls.
Rackets: Padel rackets are made of a composite material without strings. The hitting surface is perforated. The racket is similar to the one used in platform tennis but has its own specifications.
Court: The court has a floor made of concrete, plastic or artificial grass. It is designed similarly to a tennis court, only smaller - measuring 10x20 m, with a 0.88m (34.6 inches) high net in the middle. The court is surrounded by 4 meter high walls made of glass or brick, or a fence when outside.
