: a sport played by two pairs of players using short-handled paddles and a ball similar to a tennis ball on a court divided by a net and enclosed by walls made of tempered glass and metal caging against which players may hit the ball
Padel started in Mexico about 50 years ago and is typically played in doubles. The major difference is that the courts—smaller than tennis—are surrounded by mesh or glass walls that players use to bounce balls off of …—
Nadia Lopez
Nadia LopezI soon learn that padel is a combination of tennis and squash, but easier because it's played on a smaller court and serving is underhand, and it tends to be a slower speed game than tennis. The racket is similar to the one used for pickleball, and the scoring is identical to tennis …—Emily Zemler
Emily ZemlerExamples of padel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to the soccer fields, plans for Social District also include seven indoor padel courts, two outdoor padel courts and five indoor pickleball courts.
—Marissa Luck, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026
Racket sports broadly are on the rise — padel courts are popping up across the United States, and the 2028 Olympics will include squash for the first time.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2026
More than just connecting with other padel lovers, guests who book their trips through the Privé Passport platform will receive special perks during their stay.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026
On Wednesday, April 29, the couple appeared at a padel tournament hosted by Holland's non-alcoholic beverage brand Bero in Los Angeles.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
And padel, which blends elements of tennis and squash, has become the new darling of racquet sports, with courts popping up across Colorado.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Serena Williams Becomes Heineken 0.0 Global Ambassador Heineken 0.0 has announced tennis legend Serena Williams as its new global brand ambassador, launching a multiyear partnership for connecting with others through padel.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The luxury hotel also offers a heated outdoor infinity pool, a watersports center (try everything from scuba to sailing), tennis and padel courts, and a volleyball court.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026
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Marissa Luck, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026
Racket sports broadly are on the rise — padel courts are popping up across the United States, and the 2028 Olympics will include squash for the first time.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2026
More than just connecting with other padel lovers, guests who book their trips through the Privé Passport platform will receive special perks during their stay.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026
On Wednesday, April 29, the couple appeared at a padel tournament hosted by Holland's non-alcoholic beverage brand Bero in Los Angeles.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
And padel, which blends elements of tennis and squash, has become the new darling of racquet sports, with courts popping up across Colorado.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Serena Williams Becomes Heineken 0.0 Global Ambassador Heineken 0.0 has announced tennis legend Serena Williams as its new global brand ambassador, launching a multiyear partnership for connecting with others through padel.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The luxury hotel also offers a heated outdoor infinity pool, a watersports center (try everything from scuba to sailing), tennis and padel courts, and a volleyball court.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/padel. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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