What Is Padel?

Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the UK – and it’s easy to see why. Combining elements of tennis and squash, it’s fast, fun and sociable, offering an excellent full-body workout that improves fitness, coordination and agility.

The game is growing in popularity. Its governing body, LTA Padel (LTA), says that by the end of 2024, more than 400,000 people were playing padel across Britain – a remarkable rise from 129,000 the previous year.

Who invented Padel?

Padel isn’t a new sport. It began in 1969 when Enrique and Viviana Corcuera created a small-scale tennis court at their Mexican holiday home. The UK’s growing number of courts reflects a national enthusiasm for the game.

How to play Padel

Padel is usually played in doubles on a small, enclosed court surrounded by glass or mesh walls. Players serve underarm, and rallies develop when the ball bounces once on the opponent’s side before potentially rebounding off the walls.

The use of walls makes each point more dynamic than in tennis – it requires anticipation, quick reactions and teamwork. The sport uses a slightly smaller, lower-bounce ball than tennis and a padel racket: it’s solid, stringless, and has holes to reduce air resistance.

On a smaller court with a blend of control and reflex, the game is excellent for beginners and physically challenging enough for experienced players. It’s a fast-paced, tactical sport that engages the whole body.

Common Padel Injuries

While padel is a low-impact sport, the combination of twisting movements, lunges and overhead strokes means injuries can occur – particularly as players increase their frequency or intensity of play.

Some of the most common padel-related injuries we see in the White House Clinic include:

• Twisting injuries such as ankle sprains or knee and hip strains.
• Overuse injuries like "paddler's elbow” (similar to tennis elbow) and patellar tendinopathy.
• Shoulder problems such as rotator cuff tendinopathy, impingement or partial tears.
• Muscle or joint stiffness in the neck, lower back or hips due to repetitive, rotational movements.

These can be caused by sudden twists or falls, but sometimes result from underlying biomechanical issues such as muscle imbalances or reduced mobility.

Want to play Padel in Sheffield, Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire?

It’s a great time to start. Padel courts are opening up across the region, including padel courts and clubs in Sheffield, Dronfield and Nottingham. Gyms and tennis clubs across the region are also adding the game to court sessions. Find a padel court near you by searching on the LTA Padel site.

How Physiotherapy Can Help with Padel Injuries in Sheffield

At the White House Clinic, our physiotherapists understand the physical demands of modern racket sports like padel. We help players recover from injury and, crucially, work to prevent recurrence through individualised rehabilitation and performance-based conditioning.

Depending on the nature of the problem, your treatment may include:

• Targeted physiotherapy to strengthen muscles
• Manual therapy to restore mobility and relieve stiffness
• Biomechanical assessment to improve technique and reduce stress on joints
• Specialist treatments for persistent tendon pain
• Referral to our Sports and Exercise Medicine Injection Clinic, where appropriate, for ultrasound-guided injections to aid healing and pain relief

Our goal is always the same – to get you back on court quickly and safely, while improving your biomechanics to prevent recurrence.

Preventing Padel Injuries and Staying Match-Ready

When you find a sport you love, you don’t want injuries holding you back. Tweaking your pre- and post-game routine and adding in strength and flexibility exercises could be the difference between playing all season or being out injured.

Warming up before each game, maintaining good flexibility in the hips and shoulders, and wearing supportive footwear can all help protect against common strains of padel. Building strength through off-court training – particularly in the core and lower limbs – also improves stability during rapid direction changes.

At the White House Clinic, we encourage every player to view physiotherapy not just as treatment after an injury, but as part of a proactive plan to stay fit and perform at their best. At the White House Clinic, our team works with all athletes to optimise recovery, maintain strength and ensure they can continue playing the game.

Physiotherapy for Padel Players

Whether you’re new to padel or competing regularly, our physiotherapists can help you manage and prevent injuries effectively. With 14 convenient locations across South Yorkshire, North East Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, the White House Clinic offers fast access to expert care and comprehensive rehabilitation services.

If you’re struggling with an injury from padel or want to improve your movement on court, get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you keep playing.

To learn more or book an appointment to discuss your padel game, visit www.whitehouse-clinic.co.uk

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