How do I get started playing padel?
A no-stress guide to getting started in padel: the gear, your first session on court, and the beginner rules that actually matter.
- Book an off-peak court, rackets usually rent for a few euros
- Grab three friends, padel is always doubles
- Learn one thing first, the underhand serve
- 60 to 90 minutes and you will be rallying
Gear you can rent, not buy
Getting started in padel needs almost nothing. Most clubs rent a padel racket for a few euros and sell a tube of balls at the front desk, so you can turn up empty-handed the first time. Wear whatever you would take to the gym, though flat court shoes with grip beat running shoes on the turf. Your first time playing padel usually costs about the price of the court split four ways, which is why so many people try it on a whim and then quietly get hooked.
Find three players, not one
Padel is doubles only, so you need four on court, never one against one. No group of your own? This is where most beginners stall, and it is the easiest problem to solve. Almost every club runs an americano or an open session where they mix people into short rotating games, so you can show up alone and leave having played with six new partners. Booking apps and club WhatsApp groups fill open spots in minutes, so a missing fourth is rarely a real reason to skip a session.
One rule to learn on day one
The serve is the single thing worth practicing before you show up. You bounce the ball behind the service line, then hit it underhand at or below waist height into the diagonal box. That is the whole motion. Get it down and you can play a real point straight away. The walls, the scoring and where to stand all fall into place over your first few games, usually without anyone needing to explain them to you twice.
HELP
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started playing padel as a total beginner?
+
Book a court, rent a racket, and bring three people, because padel is doubles. Learn the underhand serve, then start hitting. Most first-timers are rallying inside their first session.
Do I need my own equipment to start?
+
No. You need a racket, balls and court shoes, and most clubs rent rackets by the hour. Buy your own only once you know you are hooked.
How do I get started playing padel tennis if I already play tennis?
+
You are halfway there. The scoring is identical and the strokes feel familiar, so tennis players adapt fast. The two new things are the underhand serve and reading the ball off the walls.
Is padel hard for beginners?
+
No, it is one of the easiest racket sports to pick up. Padel for beginners works because the walls give you extra time and the court is small. Rallies last longer, so you get more hits and improve faster.
How much does a first session cost?
+
Not much. A court split four ways plus a rented racket usually lands near the price of a coffee or two each. Your first time playing padel rarely costs more than a casual gym visit.
How many people do I need to play?
+
Four. Padel is always doubles, two against two. If you can only find one other person, join a club open session or americano, where they mix beginners into games.