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Padel is exploding in popularity around the world. With the boom in interest in the sport, there also appears to be a surge in misconceptions about padel.
The team at Padel39 sat down and chatted about the myths we hear most often, and we have collated them to create this blog post, in which we will debunk the most common padel myths to set the record straight.
If you have any questions about padel, please come and chat with one of our friendly team members, who will be very happy to help you.
While padel shares some obvious similarities with tennis, it is far from being a scaled-down version of the sport. Padel offers unique challenges and really exciting and dynamic gameplay.
Both sports use rackets and involve hitting a ball over a net, but that’s where the major similarities end. Padel is played on a smaller court (66ft x 33ft versus 78 ft x 36ft) and glass and cage walls, which players can use to their advantage. In that respect padel shares more with squash than tennis.
The scoring system in padel will be instantly recognizable to tennis players, but the tactics and style of play are quite different. Padel emphasizes finesse and smart use of the shot selection and walls, while tennis focuses more on power and open-court play.
We love tennis here at Padel39, but don’t let any tennis snobbery stop you from trying padel for yourself - they are both brilliant sports.
Although padel is known for being easy to pick up, it’s not just a sport for beginners or casual players.
To be successful at padel, you will require a challenging blend of strategy, agility, coordination, and fitness. The learning curve may be shallower than many sports, especially tennis, but it will take years of practice to master padel truly.
Like any sport, the more competitive you get, the more challenging and intense the matches become. Open-play, tournaments, leagues, and championships have flourished globally, proving that padel is much more than just a hobby.
Some people mistakenly believe that padel isn’t physically demanding due to its smaller court size.
In reality, padel is a high-energy sport that can offer a full-body workout. Players need to be constantly on the move, changing direction, moving with balance in all directions, and reacting quickly to the ball.
This engages multiple muscle groups and significantly boosts cardiovascular health and overall wellness. For anyone looking for a fun way to stay fit, padel is a great option. Read more about the health benefits of playing padel.
Another common misconception amongst those new to the sport is that you can use a tennis racket.
This is not true. Padel rackets are very different from tennis rackets. They are smaller, perforated, and have no strings. Their design is intended explicitly for padel’s fast-paced, close-quarter action.
A tennis racket would be cumbersome on a padel court, making it harder to control the ball and execute proper technique.
To play padel effectively, you’ll need to use a proper padel racket. Don’t worry, at Padel39, we have great equipment available for rent at a modest cost. Then, when you’re ready, check out our Pro Shop, which features the best rackets from leading brands like Babolat, Head, NOX, and Adidas.
Believe it or not, we also hear the opposite of Myth 1. Some claim that “..padel is only enjoyable if you are very fit and blessed with excellent hand eye coordination…”
While padel can be challenging and competitive, it’s actually designed to be very accessible, regardless of age or experience level. The learning curve is relatively gentle, and many can get a feel for the game within the first few sessions. You really should not be worried about your athleticism, as it is a game that can be enjoyed at all levels without any previous racket sports experience. We welcome Beginners at Padel39 every day who have never played a racket sport and quickly start having fun.
Padel matches are typically shorter than tennis matches, especially at the recreational level. The smaller court size and the nature of the game keep things fast-paced and dynamic. A standard padel match can last 45 minutes to an hour and a half, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule during the day, evenings, or weekends.
Padel is also a social sport almost exclusively played as doubles (especially in the USA), so it’s a great way for players of different skill levels to team up and have fun. Whether you’re an experienced athlete or a complete beginner, padel offers a welcoming environment to enjoy a great game.
Like many sports that grow rapidly in popularity, padel has been labeled by some as a temporary trend.
If you have read our evolution of padel post, you will know that padel’s roots date back to the 1960s. While there has been an acceleration in the sport’s popularity in recent years, and there can be no doubt that it is building momentum, it is not as new as some may think and is here to stay.
Countries worldwide are building more padel courts, and professional leagues and tournaments are drawing attention from media and sports fans alike.
We may well be biased, but we believe that padel is much more than just a passing craze – it’s a sport with lasting appeal and a global presence.
