Never played padel?
Six things worth knowing before you book a court. It takes about a minute to read.
What is padel?
A racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. The walls are in play, the serve is underarm, and the scoring is the same as tennis. Most people can rally in their first hour.
How many people do I need?
Four. Padel is almost always doubles, so you book one court and split it between two pairs.
What does it cost?
A court is roughly 20 to 40 EUR an hour depending on the club and the time of day, which is about 5 to 10 EUR each. Evenings are the dearest hours; weekday mornings are the cheapest.
Do I need a racket?
No. Many clubs rent rackets, and balls are usually a few euro. Wear trainers you can move sideways in.
What do the letters mean?
Events are graded by level. D is the entry grade and A the most experienced, with B and C in between. An event marked "open" welcomes any level. If you have never played, look for D or open.
What is an americano?
A social format where you swap partners every few games and everyone plays everyone. It is the easiest way in as a newcomer. A round robin is similar; a tournament keeps fixed pairs and is more competitive.