Belarus introduces a new sport to its official registry
Padel, a dynamic racket sport that seamlessly blends elements of tennis and squash, is making waves in Belarus and around the world. The Ministry of Justice of Belarus recently registered the Belarusian Padel Federation, signalling the sport's growing popularity and formal adoption in the region.
The sport, played on a compact rectangular court measuring 20x10 m, is enclosed by walls or fences 4 meters high and has a net in the middle, 0.88 meters high. The surface can be concrete, plastic, or artificial grass, and the walls made of glass or brick allow balls to rebound into play after bouncing.
Padel is typically played in doubles, but singles are also possible on a narrower court measuring 6 by 20 meters. The rackets used are solid composite paddles without strings, perforated in the hitting surface, smaller than tennis rackets. The balls are similar but slightly smaller than tennis balls.
The serve in Padel is performed underarm, struck below waist level. The ball must bounce in the server’s box and can hit the walls after bouncing, remaining in play. The ball may bounce off the walls surrounding the court after the initial bounce on the ground; unlike tennis, these rebounds keep the ball in play.
Players use strategies involving different kinds of shots, including volleys, overhead smashes, lobs, and shots with spin or pace adapted to the enclosed court and wall rebounds. Scoring in Padel follows the traditional tennis scoring system: points progress 15, 30, 40, and game. Optionally, a "golden point" can be used at deuce (40-40) to decide the game immediately.
The Belarusian Padel Federation aims to improve the technical skills of athletes in Padel and develop and promote the sport in Belarus. The organization plans to hold competitions and other sporting events in the country, contributing to the growth of Padel's popularity in the region.
Padel's simplicity, social format (matches in pairs), lower physical demands compared to tennis, and engaging nature have contributed to its increasing attention worldwide. Approximately 25 million people in 90 countries already play Padel. The sport continues to grow rapidly, with new courts being built, professional tournaments (World Padel Tour) emerging, and discussions about its inclusion in the Olympic program.
Padel originated in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969, and has since spread rapidly in Spain, Argentina, and around the world. With the Belarusian Padel Federation's registration, it seems that the sport's expansion shows no signs of slowing down.
Football, a popular sport worldwide with over 25 million participants in 90 countries, shares similarities with Padel in terms of its social format and growing global popularity. The Belarusian Padel Federation draws inspiration from football's success, aiming to replicate its growth and facilitate the development of Padel in the region.
