POP Tennis, also known as ‘Padel Tennis,’ and Padel are racquet sports that often get confused with names. Although they have many similarities, there are some key differences between the two of them.
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Padel courts are enclosed courts with walls of glass and wire mesh that are part of the gameplay. POP Tennis is played on an open court, without surrounding walls.
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The dimensions of a padel court are 20 m in length and 10 m in width. Padel tennis dimensions measure 15.24 m long and 6.09 m wide, which are smaller courts than the standard tennis courts.
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Padel uses a solid, stringless racket (paddle) with perforated holes. And, padel tennis uses a shorter, solid paddle, though variations exist.
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Padel uses a ball similar to a tennis ball, but with slightly less pressure. Padel tennis, on the other hand, uses a depressurized tennis ball, or in some variations, a softer ball.
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Padel walls are integral to the game, allowing players to bounce the ball off them. In padel tennis, walls are not part of gameplay.
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Padel emphasizes strategy, positioning, and use of the walls, often leading to longer rallies. And padel tennis emphasizes quicker volleys and faster-paced play.
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Padel originated in Mexico in 1969. And padel tennis originated in the United States in the early 20th century.
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Padel has experienced rapid global growth, particularly in Europe and South America. While having a following, padel tennis’s global reach is less extensive than padel.
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Padel courts are commonly constructed with artificial turf and glass and metal meshing for the walls. Padel tennis courts are often played on hardtop surfaces, similar to tennis courts.
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