Padel 2025: Beginner's Guide to the Trend Sport

Padel-Spieler auf dem Court — Trendsport 2025

2026-04-25

Padel 2025: Beginner’s Guide to the Trend Sport

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AUTHOR:

Elias Kollböck

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2 Min. Read

Padel is easier to learn than tennis, more intense than squash, and more social than both. No wonder it’s Europe’s fastest-growing sport.

The Key Points in Brief

Padel: Tennis variant in an enclosed court (20x10m), walls as game elements
Always played in doubles (4 players) — more social than solo racket sports
Basic skills playable after 2–3 hours — much easier than tennis
Over 3,000 courts expected in Germany by the end of 2025
Equipment: Padel rackets (round frame, no strings), special balls

What Makes Padel Special and Why Is It Booming?

Padel combines the best of tennis and squash: the court’s walls are an active part of the game — balls can be played off the wall after the first bounce, similar to squash. This makes rallies longer, more spectacular, and much more accessible for beginners than tennis.

Social interaction is key: Padel is exclusively played in doubles. Four people in a small space, many short rallies, lots of interaction. This fosters a natural sense of community and fun — even if you’re not very good yet. The global player base has more than doubled since 2020.

How to Learn Padel and Play Your First Matches

A 90-minute beginner course with an experienced coach is enough to grasp the basics and enjoy your first matches. Padel schools are available at many courts and often much cheaper than tennis lessons. The key difference from tennis: keep your wrist straighter and your swing more compact.

Court booking: Padel apps like Play Padel, Playtomic, or Padelstar make booking and finding playing partners easy. Many courts also offer open tournaments for beginners — perfect for your first competitive experience in a relaxed setting.

Equipment and Costs for Beginner Padel Players

A padel racket isn’t a tennis racket: it has a round or teardrop-shaped frame, no strings, and instead features a solid core with perforated material. Entry-level rackets cost 50–80 Euro from brands like Bullpadel, Head, or Babolat. Renting rackets at courts is usually affordable.

Court rental: 15–25 Euro per court and hour; split among four players, that’s just 4–6 Euro per person—cheaper than tennis or squash. Padel balls resemble tennis balls but have less pressure—always use dedicated padel balls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question to reveal the answer.

Do I need to know tennis to start playing padel?

No. Tennis experience can help with court awareness, but padel is different enough that beginners without prior experience can start on equal footing. Many padel players have no background in other racket sports.

How do I find padel partners in my city?

Padel apps like Playtomic or social features in padel club apps make it easy to connect with playing partners. Many courts also have notice boards or WhatsApp groups for finding players.

Is padel suitable for older players?

Absolutely. Due to the smaller court size and slower balls, padel is easier on the joints than tennis. Many players over 60 find padel more physically manageable than their previous racket sport.

The essentials at a glance: Padel—a tennis variant played on an enclosed court (20x10m), using walls as part of the game

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