Padel is no longer an obscure sport. While it isn’t as famous as its big brothers (tennis and squash), it is gradually making a name for itself. Make sure to distinguish it from Paddle (the water sport). In this article, we’re talking about this racket sport that is extremely popular in Spain and Argentina.

In tennis, being tall often impacts your game. Your serve becomes a significant asset, and you’ll be a formidable attacker from the baseline and at the net. This isn’t necessarily the case in Padel, where a sharp analytical mind combined with good technique are the essential ingredients to becoming a strong player.

One of the things you’ll most appreciate about this unique sport is that it won’t take you years to progress. With sports like tennis, if you don’t play regularly, you lose your level quite easily. It’s also easy to get discouraged if you’re not improving your serve. In Padel, sometimes just hitting the ball is enough to keep the rally going.

Another notable difference from tennis is that Padel is mostly played in doubles. Playing in a team changes everything. You may have to work hard at times to find the perfect partner to accompany you through all your adventures. Some top champions had to change partners numerous times before finding their ideal match.

What if you just want to have fun with Padel?

It’s very easy to find partners for Padel, even if you’re a beginner. All you need to do is connect to a specialized app. Some of the most popular ones include Anybuddy and Ten’Up.

While Padel isn’t yet widespread in France, you can still easily find courts to play in the Paris region. Padel Horizon, a great facility, is located in Sucy-en-Brie in the 94th district, and there are others in sports centers primarily known for five-a-side football (Stadium de Thiais, Servon Park, etc.).

Tips for starting Padel

Here are some tips to ensure your Padel learning experience goes smoothly.

As with any racket sport, it’s important to get equipment that matches your skill level. Just as you wouldn’t wear cleats for five-a-side football (indoor soccer usually played 5v5 or 6v6), you wouldn’t wear tennis shoes on a Padel court. Wilson and other renowned manufacturers offer a variety of rackets, balls, and shoes to meet your needs.

Padel is an energetic sport, so warming up is vital. Rallies often last longer than in tennis, so make sure to set aside at least 10 minutes to warm up all your muscles properly and avoid injury.

Once you’ve mastered the basic shots, don’t focus on hitting the ball with all your strength. Like the heroes in the Japanese anime *Blue Lock*, you need to feel the ball... Carefully analyze its trajectory and sense the perfect moment for your shot. It’s an art that you’ll need to practice to be able to fully strike the ball.

Mastering the different positions on the court will also be a key advantage as you learn Padel.

The dominance of Argentinians and Spaniards

As seen during Paris 2024, France is lagging behind in many sports. It’s hard to compete with the best when you constantly have to look for sponsors to develop your sport. Take the example of 3v3 basketball. The French team made an epic run, yet they struggle to survive and stay on the global circuit.

In Padel, Spaniards and Argentinians dominate the top spots. It will take significant growth of the sport in France to see French players compete with the best.