Invented in Mexico around 1968, Padel is a doubles racquet sport (2v2), played on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. Easy to learn and to start playing, it's one of the fasted growing global sports.

The smaller court and underhand serve make it physically less demanding than tennis, which appeals to a broader audience.

The walls (similar to squash) are part of the game, meaning players can use them to rebound the ball during play. Also with a central net it's an ideal sport for tennis or squash enthiasists as well as anyone fancying a new social experience.

• The racquets used in padel are solid, perforated, and smaller than tennis racquets. They have no strings and are usually made of composite materials.
• The ball is similar to a tennis ball, but is slightly less pressurized.
• The scoring system is similar to tennis.
• The serve in padel is underarm, and it must land in the diagonal service box.