It’s estimated the sport has attracted more than 25 million active players, and that number is still growing (exponentially). With new courts springing up everywhere, here’s why you should get in on the action, plus tips from the pros on how to elevate your game.
Padel’s enclosed arenas are immediately intriguing. Their courts, which look like the unholy union of tennis turf and badminton battlegrounds, will undoubtedly pique your curiosity. On the last count, there were over 63,000 courts worldwide, and you may have noticed a trend of new ones cropping up everywhere—the gym, your street corner, and even inside malls.
The Three Biggest Reasons You Should Try Padel
The sport’s appeal is manyfold, but for Adam van Harte—a padel pro and the head coach at Virgin Active Padel Club—there are three main factors.
First, it’s got a massive social aspect baked into the game. “Padel is played strictly as doubles,” he says (although a few one-on-one arenas are springing up). “There will always be four people on the court, and games are usually followed by a drink or meal together.”
Second, and maybe most importantly, the sport is ultra-accessible. “It’s actually quite easy to play,” he says. Compared to, let’s say, tennis, where you could spend hours honing your serve and feel like you’re making little progress, padel is definitely a pick-up-and-play alternative. The rackets are forgiving, the rules simple, and your shot options are near-endless because you can play the ball off the surrounding walls. As a tennis outcast myself, it was simple to find my rhythm on the padel court. But that low barrier to entry isn’t without a sky-high ceiling. “Easy to play but difficult to master,” stresses Van Harte, who left behind his own professional tennis background to chase rankings on new turf. Just tune into any tournament and you’ll see how far you can go.
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The final factor? Availability. You will never struggle to find a court, especially now that gyms like Virgin Active are building up their padel offerings. Van Harte has been hooked since 2022 and has gone on to win plenty of tournaments. He’s also signed with adidas Padel as their brand ambassador. The transition from curiosity to fully fledged pro was a quick one. But while the competitive nature of elite play has given the sport staying power, the fact that it’s fun means he’ll keep playing long after he closes the book on his professional pursuits.
How to Improve Your Game from Day One
When you first try out padel, you’ll be wielding a rental racket and punting around the sport’s standard-issue tennis balls. It’s likely your shots won’t have much pace, but you’ll start to pick up the basics of positioning, which can give you an edge even when your firepower is lacking. And the more often you step onto the court, the more you’ll start to minimise unforced errors and entrench key skills like applying devilish spin to your shots or, super important, wrapping your head around how to play off and against the wall.
The Best Gear for Beginners and Beyond
You’ll be tempted to head out and grab all the latest and greatest kit, but Van Harte says that for your first few forays, you’ll get by just fine with the court-supplied weaponry. “Kit is important, however, just not when you’re starting out,” he says. And he’s speaking from experience. He played with the club’s armoury of rackets for two months before taking the plunge for his own. “When it comes time to invest in your own racket, you want to look for something based on your skill level,” he says. Typically, your first purchase will be a racket with a focus on control. While you won’t get the seemingly spring-loaded firepower or dizzying, spinning artistry of some of the other options, you will get the precision that your game demands right now.
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And don’t forget the shoes. “Padel requires lots of jumping and changes in direction,” he says. “You’ll need a shoe that provides you with good ankle support, something a running shoe does not give you.” He’s seen plenty of injuries that were the result of incorrect footwear, so this purchase should be high up on your must-buys.
Ready to go full swing? Here’s our complete guide to padel gear to get you started:
The Rackets
The Wilson Blade Pro V3 Padel Racket offers a perfect blend of power and control. Designed for advanced players, it features a high-performance frame and carbon fibre construction for enhanced durability and responsiveness. The racket’s aerodynamic design reduces drag, increasing swing speed. Whether you’re attacking or defending, this racket gives you the precision you need for every shot, ensuring optimal performance in all conditions.
The adidas METALBONE 3.4 is a diamond-shaped racket designed for pro-level players with an aggressive play style. With a sweet spot near the top, it delivers explosive power. Its octagonal carbon tubular structure ensures precision, while the customisable weight system lets you adjust balance. The extended Power Extra Grip handle and Low Poly frame enhance control and power, making it a formidable choice for players who demand both.
The LÕK MAXX FLOW is a round-shaped racket built for pro players who want a balance of control and power. Designed for precision, it helps you out maneuvre opponents with ease. Its 3D spin-lines system enhances ball rotation on contact, adding spin without compromising control. This racket stands out for its fine-tuned combination of control, comfort, and power, making it a solid choice for those looking to dominate the court with finesse and consistency.
The Gear
The adidas RACKET BAG MULTI-GAME 3.3 is built for players who need both space and organisation. It features a large central compartment for your clothes, a ventilated mesh section for shoes, and two spacious side pockets, each capable of holding up to two rackets. Practical and roomy, it’s designed to keep your gear secure and ready for every match.
The CIOVITA Tech Tee is your go-to for the court, offering a relaxed fit with style and functionality. Made from moisture-wicking polyester with 4-way stretch, it keeps you cool and dry. A side-seam slit, welded hems, and reflective details add durability and visibility for every match.
We’ve tried plenty of made-for-padel socks, but FALKE Padel Socks are hands-down the best. They’re soft, well-ventilated, and comfortable, offering plenty of support with their half-cushioned design. A seamless toe also helps prevent blisters, making them an excellent choice for any padel player.
Running shoes don’t provide the range of motion and omnidirectional support of a dedicated court trainer, but the Reebok Nano Court Training Shoes do. These shoes are perfect for both padel and tennis courts. We particularly like the herringbone Griptonite rubber outsole, which offers excellent traction in any direction your next shot takes you.
Still swatting around threadbare, dog-chewed tennis balls? Opt for the Wilson X3 Balls instead. These pro-level spheres excel on faster courts and feature Wilson’s Dura-Weave technology for the reliable performance you need as you shoot for the big leagues.
Outdoor courts are our favourite places to play, but the sun’s glare can leave you squinting for an opening. The Babolat Trucker Cap is the perfect solution, offering style both on and off the court. It features a curved visor to keep you in the shade and your eye on the ball.
Founded in 1933 by tennis player René Lacoste, the brand has a legacy of sport and style. We bet if he were around today, he’d be a padel player too. The Lacoste Original EDP is perfect for the active guy, featuring fresh notes that exude both elegance and sporting flair. Toss it in your racket bag and leave every match smelling like victory.
Words by Kieran Legg and Rob Cilliers
This article was originally published in Jan/Feb Issue of Men’s Health SA
