What is padel? The racket sport where the walls stay in play.
Padel is a distinct racket sport normally played by four people. It combines quick rallies, doubles tactics and an enclosed court made of glass and mesh.
The short answer
Padel is usually played two against two on a 20 × 10 metre court. Serves are hit underarm. After bouncing, the ball can rebound from the walls and remain in play—one reason rallies feel social, tactical and surprisingly long.
- 2 vs 2
- the usual format
- 20 × 10 m
- official doubles court
- underarm
- how every serve begins
Why the walls change the game
The court is fully enclosed. A shot must bounce on the opponent's floor before touching their wall or fence. On your own side, a ball can bounce from the glass and still be returned.
That rewards positioning, patience, angles and anticipation. Power helps, but understanding the rebound is often more important.
Scoring and equipment
Traditional scoring follows tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game. Players use a short perforated racket without strings and a padel ball with slightly lower pressure than a tennis ball.
- Four players and a reserved court
- A padel racket with its wrist strap
- Padel balls and court shoes with secure grip
- Many venues rent rackets for a first session
Why beginners can join quickly
The underarm serve and compact court make the first rallies accessible. There is still plenty to learn: wall defence, lobs, net positioning and teamwork add tactical depth as players improve.
Try it on court
Put the theory into practice. Find a padel club in Austria or check current court availability.
Sources and official rules
This guide summarizes current FIP rules and information from Austria's national padel organization. Wikipedia was used as an additional orientation source; the latest FIP rules remain authoritative.
Editorially reviewed on 1 August 2026