Padel is a fast-growing racket sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, played in an enclosed court with walls¹.

Padel originated in Mexico in 1969 and quickly spread to Spain and Latin America. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.

Its popularity continues to rise, especially in Europe and the United States.

What is padel called in America?

Padel has different names and adaptations depending on the country.

In the United States, padel is often called "padel tennis²" to distinguish it from platform tennis and pickleball.

Although padel is growing in popularity, it is still relatively new in the U.S., where other racket sports dominate.

Padel vs. Other Racket Sports in the U.S.

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 gaining recognition in the U.S. with more dedicated clubs and courts being built.

How is padel different from pickleball?

Padel and pickleball are often compared, but they are distinct sports.

Padel is played on a larger court with walls, using a heavier racket, while pickleball³ is played on a smaller open court with a perforated 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)	Solid, lightweight paddle
Ball	Pressurized tennis ball	Plastic perforated ball
Scoring	Tennis-style scoring	Rally scoring4

Padel is closer to tennis, while pickleball is more accessible for beginners due to its slower pace and simple rules.

What is the American version of padel?

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

Platform tennis⁵ is often considered the American equivalent of padel, played on a smaller court with screens, using 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 pace, aggressive shots	Slower, strategic play

While platform tennis remains popular in colder regions, padel is expanding rapidly due to its dynamic gameplay.

What is harder: tennis or padel?

Tennis and padel require different skill sets, but which is more challenging?

Tennis is generally considered harder due to the larger court, faster ball speed, and the need for strong technical skills. Padel, however, requires strategic wall play and quick reflexes.

Comparing Difficulty Levels

Factor	Tennis	Padel
Physical Demand	High endurance, fast-paced movement	Less running, more reflex-based
Technique	Requires strong strokes and serves	Focuses on control and positioning
Strategy	Open-court strategy	Incorporates wall rebounds

Beginners may find padel easier to pick up, but at an advanced level, both sports present unique challenges.

Conclusion

Padel is an exciting sport with a rich history and growing international appeal. While it shares similarities with tennis, pickleball, and platform tennis, it has its own unique playing style and court dynamics. As it gains traction in the U.S., more players are discovering its appeal.