Sport tourism
Presentation
Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's one of the fastest-growing sports globally, particularly popular in Spain and Latin America.
Key aspects of padel:
Court and Setup
Played on an enclosed court (roughly 1/3 the size of a tennis court)
Glass walls are part of the game, similar to squash
Always played in doubles format
Equipment
Solid padel racquet with no strings
Lower-pressure tennis balls
Court walls made of glass and metallic mesh
Gameplay Highlights
Serves must be underhand and below waist level
Players can use walls in play, similar to squash
Scoring system identical to tennis
Points can continue after ball hits walls
Benefits
Lower impact than tennis
Easier learning curve for beginners
Highly social sport
Great workout with less technical demands
Padel has seen significant growth in recent years, with courts being built in many countries and increasing professional tournament circuits. The sport is particularly appealing because it's easier to learn than tennis but offers similar cardiovascular benefits and social interaction opportunities.
