Padel became popular because four people can pick it up quickly, get a rally going and turn a court booking into a regular get-together. A compact court, an underarm serve and walls that keep the ball in play give beginners a way into the game. More courts and easier booking helped that first match become a weekly habit.
The International Padel Federation’s 2026 report estimates around 40 million amateur players worldwide and counts more than 91,200 courts. The game itself goes back to 1969, when Enrique Corcuera built the first court in Acapulco, Mexico. The recent boom came decades after the game was invented. FIP World Padel Report 2026 · FIP history of padel
You can play a point on your first day
Padel is usually played two against two on an enclosed court with a net. You use a solid racket and serve underarm after bouncing the ball. That lets a beginner start a point without having to learn an overhead tennis serve. With two players covering each side of a compact court, there’s also less ground for each person to cover.
The walls give you another shot
When a ball lands in your court and rebounds off the back glass, you can still return it before it bounces a second time. That changes what a good shot looks like. A hard ball hit deep can come back off the glass at a comfortable height, while a well-placed lob can push both opponents away from the net. Beginners can start with simple returns and discover the angles as they go.
Doubles makes it a social routine
Every booking brings four people together. You can rotate partners, learn from someone more experienced and chat between points. Once a group finds a time that works, it has an easy reason to meet again next week. An open match can also help you find a fourth player or join a group when you’re new in town.
More courts made it easier to try
A sport can catch your eye online, but you still need somewhere to play. The federation counted nearly 14,000 more courts in its 2026 report than a year earlier. More venues put the game within reach of more players. Online booking and open matches can also make it easier to coordinate four schedules or fill an empty spot. Playtomic Global Padel Report
How to try padel in Tbilisi
Look for a beginner session or an open doubles game. Before booking, ask whether the price covers the whole court or one person, and whether rackets and balls are included. If all four of you are new, spend the first few minutes practicing gentle serves and letting a few balls rebound off the back glass.
Open Events WeGo and look for padel games near Tbilisi. If you already have a court and need another player, create an event with the time, venue, expected level and cost per person.
