If you've heard someone mention padel in the last year, you're not imagining it — it's genuinely the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, and India is catching on fast. Courts are opening in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and dozens of other cities. But what actually is padel, and why is everyone suddenly obsessed with it?
Padel, Defined
Padel (pronounced PAH-del, not "paddle") is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. It borrows the scoring system from tennis, the enclosed-court strategy of squash, and the underarm serve of a sport all its own. The court is surrounded by glass and mesh walls, and the ball is allowed to bounce off them during play — which is exactly what makes padel so different, and so much fun, to watch and play.
Unlike tennis, padel is almost always played in doubles (2v2), which makes it inherently social. And unlike squash, you're not alone in a box — you've got a partner, an opponent pair across the net, and a lot more banter.
How Padel Is Played
- The court: 20m × 10m, enclosed by glass walls and metal fencing, divided by a net at the same height as a tennis net.
- The serve: Underarm only, bounced once before contact, hit diagonally into the service box — no big overhead serves.
- The rally: The ball can be played off the back and side walls after it bounces, which leads to long, strategic rallies rather than pure power hitting.
- Scoring: Identical to tennis — 15, 30, 40, game — across sets. If you understand tennis scoring, you already understand padel.
- Equipment: A solid, stringless padel racket with a perforated face, and a padel ball that's slightly less pressurised than a tennis ball.
Why Padel Is Exploding Right Now
A few reasons keep coming up with new players in India:
- It's easy to pick up. Most people can rally within their first 15 minutes on court — there's no serve toss to master, and the walls forgive a lot of mishits.
- It's social by design. Doubles-only means you're always playing with three other people, which is a big part of why padel communities grow so fast around WhatsApp groups and weekly meetups.
- It's a genuine workout. Short, explosive movements, constant lateral motion, and long rallies add up to a serious cardio session that doesn't feel like exercise.
- The infrastructure is finally here. Courts used to be the bottleneck in India. That's changing fast — see our live city guide for courts near you.
Padel in India: Where Things Stand
India's padel scene is still young, which is exactly what makes it exciting — you're getting in early, not fighting for court time in an oversaturated market. The Padel Company tracks courts, coaches, and communities across 33+ Indian cities, runs the India Padel Open championship series, and connects new players with coaches who can get you rallying properly in your first session.
How to Start Playing
- Find a court. Check our city-by-city court directory for venues near you.
- Book a beginner session or coach. Most clubs rent rackets for your first few sessions — you don't need to own gear on day one.
- Get your own kit once you're hooked. A lightweight, round-shaped racket or a ready-made Beginner Pack is the easiest way to start — most new players are rallying confidently within two or three sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is padel harder than tennis?
No — most players find padel easier to pick up than tennis. The smaller court, underarm serve, and forgiving walls mean beginners can enjoy real rallies almost immediately.
Do I need to be fit to play padel?
Not to start. Padel rewards positioning and reflexes over raw power, so players of very different fitness levels can enjoy a competitive match together.
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No — different sport entirely. Padel is played on a much larger, enclosed court with a stringless racket and a low-pressure tennis-style ball. We've broken down the full comparison in our Padel vs Pickleball guide.
How much does padel equipment cost?
A solid beginner racket typically starts around ₹8,000–₹15,000, and a can of padel balls costs ₹450–₹700. Browse our full racket collection across every budget.