Here is everything you need to know about the sport taking over the nation—and how you can get on the court here in Derby.
If you have scrolled through Instagram, walked past a local sports centre, or chatted with friends at the pub recently, you have probably heard the word "padel."
It’s no surprise that when we talk about the fastest growing sports in the UK, padel leads the charge by a massive margin. Courts are popping up in every major city, and booking a prime-time evening slot has become the new equivalent of snagging a reservation at a Michelin-star restaurant.
But what exactly is it, and more importantly, why is padel becoming so popular in the UK?
Here is everything you need to know about the sport taking over the nation—and how you can get on the court here in Derby.
While the history of padel tennis in the UK feels incredibly recent, the sport actually dates back to 1969. It was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, by a man named Enrique Corcuera, who modified his squash court to incorporate elements of tennis.
The sport quickly exploded across Spain and South America, becoming a staple of everyday life. Today, Spain has over 20,000 padel courts, and it’s officially the country's second most popular sport behind football.
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the UK finally caught the bug. Fueled by high-profile investments and celebrity endorsements from sporting legends like David Beckham, Andy Murray, and Lionel Messi, padel stepped out of the shadows and into the British mainstream.
It isn't just a celebrity fad. Padel has fundamentally solved the biggest problems people have with traditional racket sports.
1. It is Incredibly Easy to Pick Up
Tennis can take months of frustrating lessons just to hold a consistent rally. Padel is completely different. Because the rackets are solid (no strings) and closer to the hand, controlling the ball feels incredibly natural. You serve underhand, meaning double-faults are rare, and most beginners are having fast, fun rallies within their first 15 minutes on the court.
2. The Glass Walls Keep the Game Alive
Padel courts are about a third of the size of a tennis court and are enclosed by glass walls and metallic mesh. Just like in squash, you can let the ball bounce off the glass and hit it back over the net. This keeps the ball in play much longer, making the game dynamic, highly strategic, and heavily reliant on teamwork rather than pure physical power.
3. It is Built Around Community
Padel is strictly a doubles game—it is always two vs. two. Because the court is smaller, you are physically closer to your opponents, making the banter across the net a huge part of the experience. It is a highly social sport that almost always ends with a post-match drink.
If you are ready to see what all the hype is about, Just Padel is the ultimate destination in the East Midlands.
We’ve built a premium facility featuring 11 state-of-the-art indoor courts, meaning your game will never get rained off. More importantly, we’ve built a community. Whether you want to sweat it out in a competitive league or just hit a few balls before relaxing in our fully-stocked Cafe & Bar, there is a place for you here.
You don't need any prior experience, you don't need to be an elite athlete, and you don't even need to own a racket to get started.
Grab a friend (or come solo and meet new ones) and book one of our low-pressure beginner sessions today. We will provide the equipment, teach you the basic rules, and get you rallying in no time.
See you on the court!
Padel. Together.
