Padel is a racket sport played in doubles on an enclosed, compact court. It combines elements of tennis and squash with a unique touch of glass walls.
First emerging in Mexico in 1969, padel has now attracted over 30 million global players, especially in Spain and Argentina. It has now made its way to Indonesia since 2022. Dubbed “tennis of the future”, padel offers the excitement of a long rally without overexertion, ideal for all ages, from teens to the elderly.
This sport boomed in popularity in Jakarta thanks to modern clubs like Padel Republic and Padel Indonesia, where office workers and families play after working hours. With a 40% annual growth in Southeast Asia, padel is a noteworthy 2025 fitness trend that you should try.
Definition and Main Characteristics of Padel
Padel is a dynamic game in which the ball may bounce off the glass and mesh walls before being hit back, creating opportunities for fun and tactical strategies. A standard padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, much smaller than a tennis court’s 23.77 x 10.97 meter squared. This allows beginners to adapt to the game more quickly.
A padel racket takes the shape of a circle or a teardrop, with a sturdy foam material reinforced with carbon fibers. Unlike a tennis racket, a padel racket has no strings, allowing for softer strikes and better control. A padel ball is similar in size to a tennis ball but less pressurized, reducing speed by up to 40% to prevent injuries. Padel is always played in doubles, emphasizing teamwork with lateral movement and honing agility without requiring high jumps like badminton.
In Indonesia, a padel court is indoors and air-conditioned, providing comfort even during the rainy season. This trait makes padel an inclusive racket sport, where males and females can compete in an equal field.
The History of Padel, from Mexico to the World
Padel is an innovation of Enrique Corcuera, a Mexican entrepreneur who, in 1969, modified his private tennis court in Acapulco by installing walls so that his family could play longer. This brilliant idea spread to Spain in 1970 through Alfonso de Hohenlohe, founder of the Marbella Club, who built the first padel court in Europe.
Spain made padel a national sport, owning over 20,000 courts today. Argentina is a close second with millions of players—even Lionel Messi built a private padel court. The International Padel Federation (FIP) was founded in 1991, and since 2005, the World Padel Tour (WPT) has attracted millions of TV viewers, rivaling the Grand Slam tennis tournament.
In Indonesia, padel was introduced by the Spanish expat communities in 2022, with the first club being established in BSD City. Now, there are over 60 padel courts in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya, supported by local tournaments like the Jakarta Padel Open. Global trends project 50,000 new courts by 2030, with FIP aiming for the 2032 Olympics.
Basic Padel Rules
Padel’s rules are similar ot tennis, but it allows more flexibility and leeway due to the walls. A serve is always executed underhand. The ball has to bounce once off the ground, then bounce off the wall of the opponent’s side before being returned—this prevents rough smashes often seen in professional tennis.
The scoring is identical to tennis: 15-30-40-game. A set is won by winning 6 games with a 2-game lead (a tie-break happens at 6-6). The ball is allowed to bounce on your side up to 4 times (once on the ground and 3 times on the walls) before being hit by the opponent. An out, a failed serve, or a serve that is too high counts as a fault. A let serve (the ball touches the net but goes to the opponent’s side of the court) is repeated without penalties.
A match is typically determined by the best of 3 sets, lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. The key strategy is to volley near the net, shoot high lobs by leveraging the walls, and make overhead smashes. Official FIP rules are available on the Padel Manager app for beginners.
Benefits of Padel for Physical and Mental Health
Padel is a natural high-intensity interval training (HIIT), burning 400-700 calories in a 60-minute session while training VO2 max like interval running. The zigzag movements and dynamic body rotation strengthen muscles in the legs, core, and shoulders, as well as sharpen hand-eye coordination. A Spanish study shows that an active athlete loses weight by 5-10% in 3 months.
Mentally, padel is an effective stress reliever. Long rallies of up to 30 hits can increase concentration and endorphin production, like in moving meditation. It also provides tremendous social benefits—played in pairs, padel fosters friendships and networking, making it popular among Jakarta corporate workers as a team-building exercise.
In countries where padel is popular, the prevalence of obesity decreases by 25% among players aged 30-50 years old. For the elderly, padel maintains mobility and prevents osteoporosis without being strenuous on the joints.
Mandatory Padel Equipment and Facilities
Padel is an affordable sport—a beginner’s racket costs Rp1.5-3 million (choose Bullpadel for power and Head for control). A set of 3 balls costs Rp250.000, lasting for 2-3 sessions. Non-marking sole shoes are essential to avoid scratches from glass walls, while moisture-wicking clothing is suitable for tropical climates.
An FIP-approved court requires a 600 m² area, with construction costing Rp500 million to Rp1 billion in Indonesia (including LED lighting). Renting a court costs Rp350.000-600.000 per hour in Jakarta (Padel Zone SCBD or Bali Padel Club). Accessories like overgrip, vibration dampener, and racket bag enhance grip and protection.
Choose a hybrid racket for an all-rounder beginner and test it at a club before buying.
How to Play Padel for Beginners in Indonesia
Padel is a simple sport that can be learned in 2-3 sessions.
- Step 1: Learn the continental grip (hammer grip) and low swings from the hip.
- Step 2: Find a partner through the "Padel Indonesia" Facebook group or the Playtomic app.
- Step 3: Participate in a padel intro class (around Rp500.000 for 4 sessions in clubs in Jakarta).
Tips: Use the "yo-yo" position (standing close to each other), communicate vocally, start with slow balls, focus on consistency, avoid wild smashes as a beginner, and practice wall rallies for 10 minutes every day. Free video tutorials on WPT Academy’s YouTube channel can help you practice volleys and lobs.
In a month, a beginner can reach the recreational level. Join amateur tournaments to unlock doors to other competitions.
Padel in Indonesia: Local Trends and Prospects
Padel is the latest hot phenomenon in Indonesia, with more than 100 active courts as of late 2025, and supported by the large Jakarta Padel League community with over 500 members. Premium clubs, like Padel Republic Pantai Indah Kapuk, offer weekly leagues and Messi-inspired coaching.
Bali has become a padel tourism hub with beach courts, while Surabaya and Bandung padel communities are experiencing massive growth. Local sponsors like energy drinks support national tournaments. Globally, the Asian Padel Championship in Dubai is inviting Indonesian athletes.
Padel’s prospects in Indonesia are bright, with the government supporting recreational sports infrastructure. Padel can also reduce the sedentary urban lifestyle.
Padel is a revolutionary sport offering fun, fitness, and community, all in one package. If you’re in Jakarta, book a padel court near you via Playtomic. Start today for a healthier 2026!
