Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports, combining elements of tennis and squash, played in an enclosed court with walls¹.

Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court with walls, using solid rackets and a low-compression tennis ball, emphasizing strategy and teamwork.

Its rising popularity has led to rapid global expansion, particularly in Europe and the Americas.

What is padel called in the USA?

Padel has different names and adaptations depending on the region.

In the USA, padel is often referred to as "padel tennis²" to distinguish it from platform tennis and pickleball.

While padel is still growing in the U.S., it is gaining recognition with increasing court installations and professional tournaments.

Padel vs. Other U.S. Racket Sports

Sport	Court Type	Racket Type	Popularity Level
Padel	Enclosed glass court	Solid racket	Growing
Tennis	Open court	Strung racket	Very Popular
Pickleball	Smaller open court	Paddle	Fastest Growing
Platform Tennis	Small court with screens	Solid paddle	Niche

Despite its current niche status, padel is expected to grow significantly in the U.S.

How is padel different from pickleball?

Padel and pickleball are both accessible racket sports, but they have distinct gameplay and equipment.

Padel is played in an enclosed court with walls, using a pressurized tennis ball³ and solid racket, whereas pickleball is played on a smaller open court with a plastic ball.

Key Differences Between Padel and Pickleball

Feature	Padel	Pickleball
Court	Enclosed with walls (10x20m)	Open court (6.1x13.4m)
Racket	Solid with holes (carbon/fiberglass)	Lightweight paddle
Ball	Pressurized tennis ball	Plastic perforated ball
Scoring	Tennis-style scoring	Rally scoring4

Padel is more dynamic due to the use of walls, while pickleball is often seen as an easier entry-level sport.

What is the American version of padel?

While padel is growing in the U.S., another similar sport has been played there for decades.

[Platform tennis]https://www.epiruslondon.com/blogs/tennis-hacks-blog/what-is-padel-paddle-tennis-platform-tennis-and-what-are-the-differences)[^3] is considered the American equivalent of padel, featuring a smaller court with screens, solid paddles, and a spongy ball.

Differences Between Padel and Platform Tennis

Feature	Padel	Platform Tennis
Court	Larger, enclosed with walls	Smaller, fenced with screens
Racket	Solid, perforated	Solid, no perforations
Ball	Pressurized tennis ball	Low-bounce rubber ball
Play Style	Faster, aggressive shots	Slower, strategic play

While platform tennis remains popular in colder regions, padel is gaining traction due to its fast-paced and social nature.

What is the point of padel?

Padel is designed to be an accessible and enjoyable racket sport for all ages.

The goal of padel is to score points by strategically hitting the ball over the net and using the walls to gain an advantage.

Why People Love Padel

Benefit	Description
Social Sport	Mostly played in doubles, making it fun and engaging.
Easier to Learn	Shorter racket and smaller court reduce difficulty.
Strategic Play	Wall rebounds add a tactical element to the game.

Padel’s mix of physical activity and strategy makes it a great alternative to other racket sports.

Conclusion

Padel is a rapidly growing sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, offering a fun and strategic playing experience. While similar to other racket sports, its use of walls, unique scoring, and solid rackets set it apart. As it expands in the U.S., more players are discovering the excitement of padel.