Padel tennis has taken the world by storm, with more courts popping up across the UK and A-list celebrities, including David Beckham and Serena Williams, picking up the paddle
In the last year or so, there’s been a huge surge in padel, the racket sport similar to tennis but on a smaller, partly enclosed court using a different type of racket. But why has it suddenly become so popular?
The sport, also known as padel tennis, is thought to have been invented by Enrique Corcuera in 1969 after he transformed his squash court at his Mexico abode in Acapulco to incorporate elements of tennis and to stop balls from disappearing into his neighbour’s garden.
While it first came about more than 50 years ago, the first padel courts built in the UK was by David Lloyd Leisure in 2011. It slowly increased in popularity before a huge boom in the sport was witnessed in 2023 and 2024, quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing sports.
Since then, it’s flourished in sports centres across the globe, with A-list celebs said to enjoy the fun and sociable sport. This includes David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Eva Longoria. Even tennis superstars Raphael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Serena Williams are said to have a passion for padel.
Serena previously said: “I love the game because it’s fast-moving and I feel like there isn’t as much pressure as playing in front of thousands of people. Every single person on my team is awesome – we’re all friends, and we hang out together after matches.”
Padel tennis even made an appearance on this year’s Love Island All-Stars as winner Casey O’Gorman couldn’t hide his excitement for the sport. During one episode, the islanders were greeted to some time on the court as a text read: “Boys, it’s time to head out of the villa for a game of Padel. #RacketsAndBanter #BeersOverBeef.” Casey’s co-star winner Gabby Allen also offered a glimpse of his passion for the sport as she said: “Omg, Casey loves padel so much, he’s going to have babies with it!”
So why has it become so popular? Fitness expert at Westfield Health, Jon Booker, explains that its “emphasis on community and socialising gives Padel its superpower appeal.”
He shares: “Designed to be played as doubles, it naturally encourages teamwork and connection. The court is also a relatively small size (about a third of a tennis court’s size), giving it a more intimate feel. Equally critical to its general pizazz is its simplicity. The rules are easy to learn, and it isn’t as technically demanding compared to tennis.”
As well as providing ample opportunity to socialise with friends, the sport has also been credited for its mental health benefits.
Jon says: “Padel’s growing popularity isn’t lost on employers and HR professionals. We’re also seeing a lot of interest among businesses in having Padel as part of a broader workplace wellbeing offering. Until now, employers might have provided free or subsidised gym memberships or access to yoga classes. But with the rise of Padel, all of this is changing.”
