Padel

Padel is always played as a doubles game on a 20-by-10-metre court enclosed by glass walls and metal nets, which form part of the game: after bouncing on the ground, the ball may be returned even after hitting the wall, and this prolongs the rallies and completely changes the tactics compared to tennis. The racket is rigid, stringless and perforated, and the serve is executed from below after the ball has bounced. The sport was invented in 1969, when Enrique Corcuera in Mexico adapted a home court by enclosing it with walls; from Mexico, the game spread to Spain and Argentina, where it became a mass sport, and since the 2000s it has exploded in popularity in Italy and the rest of Europe. It made its debut at the Mediterranean Games in Oran in 2022. It is a sport of positioning and patience: much of the play takes place at the net, points are built up with high and drop shots, and attacks are launched only when the opponent is off balance. The scoring system is the same as in tennis — 15, 30, 40, deuce — with matches played as best of three sets. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026, padel will take place from 22 to 28 August at the Parco Mediterraneo Salinella, with three titles up for grabs: men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

• 1The game is played exclusively as doubles, on a 20x10-metre court enclosed by walls
• 2After bouncing on the floor, the ball may also be played off the walls
• 3The serve is taken from below the waist, after the ball has bounced on the ground
• 4Scoring is the same as in tennis: matches are played as best of three sets of six games
• 5Three titles in Taranto: men’s, women’s and mixed pairs at the Parco Mediterraneo Salinella