PLAY WITH ADIDAS PRO, Matt Hansen

It has been called “pickleball’s posher, privileged cousin” (thank you, Washington Post). It has also been defined (by The Times)  as “the fastest growing sport in the world.” 

But even without the hype, the hoopla and the hyperbole, Padel is gaining traction in the USA, where it is on the cusp of its biggest growth yet. 

Need a full description of the sport? 

Padel is an up-and-coming court sport  that resembles both pickleball and tennis, with elements of squash and racquetball as well. It is played in doubles on an enclosed court with a synthetic turf surface. The court walls are made of glass and metallic mesh.

While the scoring system in padel is similar to that of tennis, the equipment is different. Padel is played with a racquet that is more paddle-like in shape and design. The racquet is solid, with holes running through it. Padel is played with a ball that is slightly larger than a tennis ball.

The sport, which originated in Mexico, has been making inroads in the USA. Its national governing body is the US Padel Association, whose mission it is to lead padel’s growth and development in the United States. The international governing body is the International Padel Federation (FIP).