Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. It's always doubles. The walls are in play. And it's considerably easier to pick up than tennis.
The basics
The court is surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh. Balls can be played off the walls after they bounce — similar to squash. The net is lower than a tennis net. Serving is underarm, cross-court, and the ball must bounce in the service box before the return.
Scoring follows the same format as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, set, match. Most matches are best of three sets.
The equipment
You use a solid, stringless racket made from carbon fibre or fibreglass, with a perforated face. The ball is similar to a tennis ball but runs at slightly lower pressure. Padel-specific shoes are strongly recommended — the lateral movement is hard on regular trainers.
Why people are picking it up
The walls keep the ball in play, so rallies last longer than tennis. It's social by design — always doubles. The court is smaller, so the game is accessible regardless of fitness. And the learning curve is much gentler than tennis — most people can have a real rally within their first session.
Getting started
Most clubs offer introductory sessions and hire rackets so you can try before you buy. Once you're playing regularly, your racket is your most important piece of kit. Protect it with a COVR cover between sessions.