We were keen to do a blog post to explain exactly what padel is; because it’s fairly likely you may have heard someone mention it and thought, what is it?
Padel is currently growing across the world but in the UK in particular and for good reason. With similar accessibility of tennis, pace of squash and a fantastic social atmosphere, it’s quickly becoming the go to sport for everyone from beginners to seasoned athletes.
We’re going to introduce it and give you tips on how to get started.
What is Padel?
Padel is played on a smaller, enclosed court that includes walls (similar to squash). Unlike tennis rackets, Padel rackets are solid with no strings. Serves are made understand, making it easier for those new to racket sports get into the game. The difference is that the ball can bounce off the walls and remain in play adding an exciting and tactical dimension to each point. Trust us, it’s addictive!
Why we think it’s growing so quickly is that it’s designed to be fun for all abilities from your first game. You don’t need to train for years and that’s one of the primarily reasons it has already exploded across other countries outside of the UK, particularly in Spain, Sweden and Argentina.
What’s the rules?
1. Played in doubles: 2 vs 2 is the standard (there are some single courts)
2. Scoring is like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game.
3. Underhand serve: A bounce and then a low hit into the diagonal service box.
4. The walls are in play: After the ball bounces once, it can hit the back or side wall and still be returned.
With this setup, it generally means longer rallies, lots of movement and creativity with slightly less physical intensity or learning curve as tennis (trust us that you can up the intensity)!
What we love most of all is how sociable it is, you have light conversion given the nature of the experience and it’s a fantastic family or friendly sport; no matter if you are playing competitively or casually.
What do I need to get started?
Generally, a padel racket is all you need to get out on court. The majority of padel courts offer rental rackets for your first time. The average price for this is usually £5 per hour.
Different rackets offer a different feeling and playing style. In summary Round Padel Rackets which are good for beginners and offer Control & Precision, Diamond Padel Rackets are good for Power & Aggression and Teardrop Padel Rackets are good all-round rackets.
At Express Padel, we stock a range of rackets from leading brands whether you are purchasing your first racket.
A summary of some of out top brands below:
Babolat Padel Rackets
A brand trusted by pros with a huge affiliation with Wimbledon and Tennis, Babolat padel offers a perfect balance of power, control, and comfort. Explore our full Babolat online shop for standout models like the Technical Viper, Air Vertuo, and Counter Veron — plus Babolat accessories and padel balls to complete your setup.
Bullpadel Padel Rackets
One of the most recognised names in padel with affiliation to the R3 Cup, Bullpadel blends cutting-edge technology with professional-grade performance. Bullpadel rackets are built for fast, attacking play, and come backed by a full line of Bullpadel accessories and bags.
Nox Padel Rackets
Used by top players like Agustín Tapia, Nox padel rackets deliver precision, power, and elite-level construction. From the control-friendly Nox equation to the leading AT10 18K Attack, there’s a Nox model for every game style, plus a range of performance accessories.
Volt Padel Rackets
Designed with innovation and performance in mind in Portugal, Volt padel is gaining a loyal following across Europe. These rackets combine stylish design with premium materials, ideal for players who want precision and flair. Explore our Volt online shop for rackets, Volt accessories, and the latest gear.
Dunlop Padel Rackets
A trusted brand with decades of racket sport heritage as the official ball sponsor of the LTA, Dunlop padel offers reliable, all-round performance for every level of player. From beginner-friendly models to advanced rackets like the Galactica Pro, Dunlop is known for quality craftsmanship. Our Dunlop online store also features Dunlop padel balls, bags, and equipment built to last.
Tecnifibre Padel Rackets
Combining French precision engineering with innovation, Tecnifibre padel rackets deliver excellent control and power. Their versatile range suits both beginners and advanced players, complemented by a full collection of Tecnifibre accessories and padel balls available in our Tecnifibre online shop.
Adidas Padel Rackets
A global sports giant, Adidas brings high-performance technology and sleek design to the padel court. Their rackets offer impressive durability and power, perfect for players seeking modern equipment backed by Adidas’ trusted reputation.
In addition to rackets, once you’ve got the padel buzz, it’s tempting and beneficial to explore accessories to elevate your game. We stock a range here.
With practicality being self-explanatory to an extent, our biggest recommendations are both Padel shoes which offer a huge improvement in grip on court which makes a world of difference and stop you slipping over for more technical balls. Additionally to this, VIBE padel grips offer added grip and are sweat absorbing, allowing you to feel more comfortable for longer and give a unique feeling and can improve any racket.
In summary why is padel becoming so popular?
Accessibility: and we are passionate about making it even more so.
Social: it’s usually played in doubles, ideal for families, friends and clubs.
Low impact: easier on joints than tennis, with more technical shots
Exciting: clever angles, strategic and the walls make every game different
We massively recommend if you haven’t played you aim to book a court and try it out, not just because we’re a retailer but because we really stand behind the enjoyment it brings. You can use our court finder to find a local court, or apps such as: Playtomic, Padel Mates or MATCHi.
Express Padel is proud to now be one of the main destinations for padel rackets, balls and accessories. We pride ourselves on next day delivery, a curated selection and a price match guarantee. We are always happy to give recommendations! You can call or WhatsApp us on 01233 535053 or email us at hello@expresspadel.co.uk.
Our aim is to continue to grow our offering and help grow the sport in the UK, and are always looking to partner with padel court venues or sites. If this is something of interest, feel free to reach out and we’d love to have a chat.