Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, and for good reason — it's easy to learn, genuinely social (always doubles), and most beginners are rallying within their first session. Here's everything you need to know before your first game at Top Padel.
What is padel?
Padel is played in doubles (2v2) on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by glass and mesh walls. You serve underarm, and — unlike tennis — the ball can bounce off the walls during play, which creates longer, more tactical rallies than the court size suggests.
What you need
- A padel paddle (solid, strung — not a full racket). Don't have one? Every Top Padel venue offers racket rental, so you don't need to buy anything for your first game.
- Comfortable sports shoes with good grip — padel courts use artificial turf or specialist flooring.
- Padel balls are similar to tennis balls but slightly less pressurized.
The basic rules
- Serve underarm, diagonally, after the ball bounces once.
- The ball can only bounce once on your side before you return it.
- Walls are in play — the ball can hit the back or side wall before or after your shot, as long as it bounced on the court first.
- Scoring follows tennis scoring (15/30/40/game).
Tips for your first game
- Stand further back than you would in tennis — padel rewards positioning and patience over power.
- Use the walls to your advantage once you're comfortable — let the ball bounce off the back wall rather than always attacking it on the first bounce.
- Doubles means communication — talk to your partner about who's taking the middle.
Play your first game at Top Padel
Padel is available at Me'aisem, Al Zahia, Wafi Mall, and DIP. Not sure padel's for you? Read our padel vs pickleball guide to compare. Message your nearest club on WhatsApp to book a court or ask about coaching.
