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How to play Padel Tennis: A complete Guideline
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How to play Padel Tennis: A complete Guideline

If you are a beginner and want to learn how to play padel tennis, then you are in the right place. In this guide you will learn all the necessary details of playing padel tennis. It's a rapidly expanding, interesting, and accessible activity suitable for both experienced tennis, squash, and badminton players and those new to racket sports.

Overview and History

Paddle tennis began in the late nineteenth century in the United States as a simplified version of tennis that could be played on smaller courts with fewer participants. This early version attempted to make the sport more accessible and easier to play in restricted settings.

The present variant of paddle tennis emerged in Mexico around the 1960s. It was invented by Enrique Corcuera, who designed a smaller, enclosed court and used solid paddles instead of regular tennis racks. This adaptation blended features of tennis and squash, resulting in a unique playing experience. Based on that concept, Corcuera modified a piece of land he owned in Las Brisas, Acapulco, Mexico, by installing a small court 20m long by 10m wide, to which he added walls on the sides to prevent vegetation from invading the court and balls from entering the neighbor's property. 

Paddle tennis first gained popularity in Spain in 1974, particularly after Alfonso de Hohenlohe championed the game following his exposure to it during that year. He played a key role in popularizing the sports that lead to establishing the first official paddle tennis club in Marbella. By the 1980s, it had established its own set of regulations, and numerous national and international federations were founded to promote and arrange contests.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has been named the national regulating organization for the sport, which is quickly expanding in the United Kingdom. That could explain why it is commonly referred to as "padel tennis" rather than simply "padel," which you may be familiar with.

As the sport evolved, it gained international prominence, particularly in Spain and Latin America. Padel has witnessed historic rivalries that highlight its spirit of competition, especially between Argentina and Spain, who have produced some of the finest athletes in the history of the sport. 

Argentine Fernando Belasteguín, who has won over 200 career trophies, including 165 with fellow hero Juan Martín Díaz, is the most decorated player in padel history. They faced their principal competitors, Pablo Lima and Juani Mieres, who were among the few to beat them during their historic run, and together they ruled the global rankings for 13 straight seasons.

Paddle tennis is now played all over the world, with professional events and an expanding player base. Padel has attracted celebrity fans including Jamie Murray, Lionel Messi and Jurgen Klopp

Now that we have known the history, let’s get started with the basics of learning paddle tennis!

Padel for Beginners: Understanding the Basics 

Padel has many similarities to regular tennis, but it is typically easier to learn, making it an enjoyable and friendly sport! The majority of players compete in doubles matches, while singles games have somewhat different court dimensions and are less prevalent in both the United Kingdom and Spain. The social aspect is an important feature, allowing for mixed or same-sex doubles and accommodating players of various ages and skill levels.

If you're familiar with tennis, the rules and gameplay of padel will be easy to understand. The biggest contrast is the court's glass and wire fencing walls, which allow the ball to bounce off them, similar to squash. Padel is played on a smaller court and calls for specific gear, such as a ball that is smaller and a shorter racket. Furthermore, apart from during serves, there are no line calls to be concerned about because the court walls are blended into the sides.

Wondering about how to play padel rules and gameplay? Continue reading to find out.

Serving in Padel

The server serves in turn to each of their opponents across the net, moving from one side of the court to the other on the service line. They have to be served below the waist, underarm. The ball must bounce in the service box before it is returned, and each pair serves in turn into the diagonally opposite service box. Gamers are granted another serve. They lose the point if the ball bounces outside the service box twice. For the duration of each game, one player from each pair serves. Throughout each set, the four players take turns serving.

Padel Rallies and Gameplay

In padel tennis, rallies occur between four players, who can hit the ball from anywhere on the court—including outside it in professional matches. The game is fast-paced and thrilling as players use ground strokes, volleys, lobs, and smashes to make the ball bounce against the court's side and back walls. But before it is returned, the ball can only make one contact with the ground. If the other team doesn't get the ball back before it bounces twice, the team scores a point.

Scoring and Winning

The scoring system of Padel tennis is similar to that of traditional tennis using points from 0 to 15 to 30 to 40, and game point (Win). A single player or team must score at least four points while ahead by two in order to win the game. Sets are used to decide matches; six games are needed to win a set, again with a two-game advantage. A match may consist of three or five sets at most. 

If the score reaches 40-40 or deuce, they can choose either of the following options to determine the winner:

  1. They can play the same way as regular tennis, where the winner is the couple that wins two straight points. 
  2. Played by the Padel golden point rule, which states that the winning pair of a deciding point at deuce determines whether the serve comes from the left or right side.

What do I need to play Padel Tennis?

Padel tennis like any other sport requires its own equipment, court and other necessary essentials. Here are the main Padel requirements needed to play the game.

A playing area

Since Padel tennis has similarities with traditional tennis there might be questions like can you play padel on a tennis court? Well, the answer is no because Padel is played on a unique court that is 25% smaller than a tennis court. A typical tennis court lacks the proper dimensions, markings, and walls, making it unsuitable for play.

Padel courts have four-meter walls, with mesh side walls to allow ball returns and smooth back walls composed of painted blockwork or glass. Doubles matches, which are played only on the World Padel Tour and are suited for four players, are a well-liked format for both playing and watching the sport. A variety of locations offer courts that are both indoor and outdoor. 

More tennis clubs and public recreation centers are adding courts to their spaces as padel becomes more and more popular in the UK.

Teammates

Padel sociability is one of its best aspects, it is one of the friendliest games because most matches are played in doubles, which makes it possible for four players to enjoy the game together. Experienced players can still find a larger variety of friends and partners to play with because it's an accessible racket sport that accepts players of all skill levels.

Court coverage is simpler in doubles, but padel is a fast-paced sport that demands agility, talent, and fast reactions. Stronger players who take on more difficult shots can make their less experienced partners enjoy the game more. Thanks to the enclosed court that minimizes the need to chase stray balls by allowing the ball to bounce off walls, padel is an easy and enjoyable game for beginners to pick up. Padel rackets, with shorter handles, are also easier to control than tennis rackets, making them ideal for newcomers.

A Padel Racket

To play padel, you'll need a padel bat, racket, or racquet, whatever you call it. Padel rackets are solid and short, with holes, a thick round or diamond-shaped head, and short grip. When selecting a padel racket, consider the following: 

  • Head shape 
  • Weight 
  • Power 
  • Agility
  • Stability 
  • Precision 
  • Vibration 
  • Spin.

One advantage of padel rackets is its solid surface, which eliminates the need for frequent re-stringing. They are generally durable and require minimal maintenance, so investing in a good racket ensures longevity if cared for properly. 

You can select the perfect Padel racket from our vast padel racket selection available to accommodate everyone, from beginners to advanced players. A dedicated padel racket bag can help keep your equipment protected during transport.

Padel Ball

Padel balls are slightly smaller in size and have less pressure than tennis balls due to which they have a lower bounce. Another advantage of playing Padel is that enclosed courts need fewer balls than tennis. Typically, the ball lands within the court at the end of each point, making it simple to simply scoop it up and continue playing. Padel balls are commonly packaged in tubes of three, ensuring that you have plenty for your game. 

Recommended Gear: Shoes, Apparel, and Accessories

In the beginning you don’t need to spend a fortune on getting all the Padel equipment, a Padel racket and ball are all you need to start. But once you have decided on your love for padel, you may want to buy padel clothing and equipment to enhance your playing experience and take it to the next level.

Padel is a fast-moving game and for this Combaxx has designed the Padel shoes that specifically caters to these challenges. Look for shoe qualities that absorb stress, give grip, and facilitate quick lateral motions. In addition, get a Padel bag in which you can pack all your essential padel equipment without any worries.

How much does it cost to play padel tennis? The cost of Padel tennis can very depending on various factors including the location, equipment and court rental fee. 

Common mistakes to avoid

In the learning stage, you will want to avoid these novice mistakes with the choice of game and equipment to improve your game greatly. Here are some tips for you:

  • Play doubles; it's more fun, more sociable, and you'll learn faster and are exhilarating to play and watch, plus doubles courts are far simpler to find in the UK than singles. 
  • To begin, borrow or purchase a decent quality racket; we have a large selection of superb beginners' padel rackets at reasonable costs. Choosing one from a renowned brand ensures that it is solid and well balanced, which can help you avoid injury and make it simpler to regulate your play.
  • Upgrade your racket to match your skill level by trading up. You'll probably desire a racket with more power, spin, and accuracy as you get stronger and more assured in your padel skills. With Combaxx you can experience the complete fun of Padel Tennis that too at reasonable prices. 

Improvement tips to become a Pro Padel Player

Achieving a high level of Padel play requires hard work and dedication but the benefits makes it worthwhile. You can play fast paced matches with experienced Padel players and will also be able to get your friends and family to introduce them to the sport and enhance their enjoyment during casual games.

Here are some tips with which you can enhance and elevate your game:

  • Master your forehand and backhand to consistently place strong, accurate shots across the court.
  • Focus on targeting your opponent’s weak spots for maximum advantage.
  • Employ precision and controlled aggression to dominate the net.
  • Anticipation and strategic thinking are crucial for advanced play.
  • Strength and conditioning are key to building the power needed for high-level performance.
  • Learn to make the most of the court, using walls for smart, multi-bounce shots.

By focusing on these areas, you will be able to upgrade your skills and play like a pro!

Conclusion

To sum up, padel tennis is a fun, fast-paced sport that blends aspects of squash and tennis and can be played by players of all skill levels. For both novice and expert athletes, its smaller court, confined walls, and distinctive gameplay make a dynamic and pleasurable experience. 

You can improve your game by committing to practice, purchasing the appropriate equipment, and grasping the principles. Padel is a fulfilling activity that may keep you challenged and amused, regardless of your level of experience or desire to compete. 

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