Make a racquet at Padel

Karen Neville

Pick up your padel & have a go at the sport that’s gripping the nation. Discover it for yourself at Advantage Padel in Kingsley

re you a padelista? Have you been bitten by the padel bug? The racquet sport started in Mexico in the 1960s and while it has taken a while for players here to fall in love with it, it is now the ‘hot’ sport to play with David Beckham among its army of fans.  

And now it’s your turn to give it a go with the opening of Advantage Padel in Kingsley, near Bordon. The state-of-the-art new facility offers seven courts, the first multiple indoor courts in Hampshire. Alongside private changing rooms, free parking and a sports shop with racquet hire, padelistas will be able to enjoy the bistro, licensed bar and specially brewed coffee. 

Want to give it a go? Advantage Padel will feature coaching sessions for all ages and skill levels, competitive leagues and social events as well as hosting regional, national and international tournaments, attracting players and spectators from far and wide. 

The club will be fully equipped in the summer when it will hold events including founders’ day, with celebrity attendance, competitions and media events including lessons and reviews of all things Padel. A grand opening event is planned to celebrate featuring exhibition matches with top-ranked players, free coaching clinics and family friendly activities.  

Lewis Deyong of Advantage Padel said: “Our goal is to make Advantage Padel the place where people of all ages can come to enjoy this exciting sport, improve their skills and be part of a thriving community.” 

Adding that anyone is welcome from beginner to expert, Lewis explained: “Padel is an inclusive, sociable game – just pull on your sports kit, come along and have a go. We can provide the racquets, partners of your level, and intend to make sure you thoroughly enjoy the padel experience. At Advantage Padel get ready to enjoy the sport for a lifetime.” 

See advantagepadel.co.uk for further details 

What is padel? 

The racquet sport uses the same scoring system as lawn tennis – 0, 15, 30, 40 with the game played to best of three sets. 

The game is mainly played in the doubles format, with players using solid racquets with no strings.  

Padel balls are smaller than those used in tennis and players serve underarm. 

The padel court is 20m long and 10m wide, divided in the middle by a net. The court is enclosed entirely at the back (the width of the court) and partially on the sides (4m in length) with solid walls. The height of the back wall and sidewalls is 3m. The rest of the court is enclosed with mesh wire that is also 3m high. 

Points are won if the ball bounces twice, the ball strikes you or a teammate or if the ball hits wire fencing or another fixture before going over the net or going into the opponent’s court.