You’ve heard of Tennis, but have you heard of Padel?

Tennis is a long-established sport, originating as a handball game in France during the 12th century. By the 16th century, players were using wooden rackets, and the game had become popular among European nobility. King Henry VIII was a great fan of tennis and even built a court at Hampton Court Palace. At the time, the sport was known as “real tennis” or “royal tennis”.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that the modern game of lawn tennis was developed. A British army officer, Major Walter Clopton Wingfield, patented a game called Sphairistiké, designed to be played outdoors on grass. This led to the creation of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and, in 1877, the first Wimbledon Championships.

As the sport grew in popularity in warmer regions, the limited playability of grass courts led to the introduction of clay courts, which were easier to maintain in hot conditions. By the 1970s, many professional competitions had switched to hard courts, offering a more durable and flexible playing surface.

Today, there are several major tournaments that celebrate the sport, including the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

Paddle tennis originated in the United States in the early 1920s. It was invented by Frank P. Beal, who created a scaled-down version of tennis for children. Using short-handled, rectangular wooden paddles, a slow-bouncing sponge rubber ball, and rules similar to tennis, paddle tennis became popular in New York playgrounds.

In the late 1960s, a variation of paddle tennis made its way to Mexico under the name of padel. The inventor, Enrique Corcuera, originally called it “Paddle Corcuera”. He adapted a squash court at his home by enclosing it with metallic fencing, creating a unique playing environment. Over time, padel spread to Spain and other countries, where it rapidly gained popularity.

In the UK, padel is now far more common than paddle tennis. As of 2025, there were approximately 400,000 players and over 900 courts nationwide. Although similar to tennis, padel has several key differences. The most noticeable is the court: like squash, padel courts are enclosed with glass and mesh walls. They are also around one-third smaller than a standard tennis court and are typically made from artificial or synthetic grass.

The way padel is played also differs slightly from traditional tennis. Underarm serves are compulsory, unlike tennis, where serves are usually overarm. Rallies can last longer because the ball can rebound off the walls after bouncing, meaning players must think more strategically and play tactically.

As padel continues to grow in popularity and more clubs invest in new courts and facilities, it is important that they also review their insurance arrangements. Whether operating traditional tennis courts, introducing padel facilities, or offering both sports, clubs should ensure they have adequate cover in place to protect their property, equipment and playing surfaces, as well as their legal liabilities.

Appropriate insurance can also help safeguard members, volunteers, and visitors, providing peace of mind that the club is protected should an accident, injury, or unexpected event occur.