All about padel: From origins to today's padel offerings in Nerja

Padel is a racket sport that has grown in popularity all over the world, especially in Spain and Latin America but also more recently, especially during the Corona restrictions, in Sweden. It is known for its social and inclusive format, which makes the sport accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.

A brief history of padel

Padel was invented in Mexico in the 1960s by Enrique Corcuera, who modified his squash court to fit the smaller space in his garden, resulting in the birth of padel. The sport quickly spread to Spain and Argentina, where it quickly became popular. Today padel is one of the fastest growing racket sports, with millions of enthusiasts all over the world. If you look at today's world rankings, the top 20 consists only of Spanish and Argentine players. Of the top 100, about 80 players are Spanish. This means that in Spain you can find the best players and coaches and the best Swedes have moved to Spain to practice padel.

Game Basics

Padel is played on a court that is about a third the size of a tennis court and is surrounded by walls of glass and metal mesh, where the ball is allowed to bounce. It is always played in doubles, which makes the sport very social and strategic. The racket is solid without strings and the ball is similar to a tennis ball but is slightly softer. The scoring is the same as in tennis, which makes it easy for new players to understand the game. Padel, unlike tennis, has a very low threshold for getting started and playing. Even people with no background in ball sports can pick up Padel quickly and get a game going. This is one of the reasons for its popularity.

Play padel in Nerja

Nerja, with its sunny climate and idyllic scenery, has become a popular place for padel players. For those visiting Nerja who want to try padel, there are plenty of opportunities to rent courts and equipment. Many clubs also offer private lessons and group training to help new players get started and experienced players develop their game. The warm climate makes it possible to play all year round, which is a big advantage compared to many other places in Europe.

Facilities

There are 3 facilities to play padel in Nerja, all of which are outdoor courts.

The municipal tracks

There are 4 courts run by the municipality and are located at the Piscina Y Pabellón Cubiertos sports complex, see the address here . Here you play for cheap money, 90 minutes cost a maximum of €14.25 per court for non-members and as low as around €7.75 for members (depending on how many advance purchase times you buy). Becoming a member costs around €40 and you quickly earn it if you play a lot. You can either book on site or call the facility on +34 951 322 085. You can also book via the municipality's website (at the moment it only works to pay full price via the website, i.e. €14.25 for 90 minutes).

The Racquet

The classic Club de Tenis y Padel la Raqueta is for sale at the time of writing (March 2024) and therefore they have unfortunately closed the restaurant. But the courts are still open and you can play both tennis (3 courts) and padel there. They have 1 glass court (pista de cristal) and 1 concrete court (called "el muro"). You can book by visiting the facility or by calling or WhattsApping +34 677 845 134. At La Raqueta you can also take lessons with the very lovely and talented Frenchman Philippe. Get in touch with us and we will put you in touch with Philippe.

Other courses near Nerja

If you have a car during your stay in Nerja, there are several padel facilities within 20 minutes that are worth a visit.

Padel courts in Frigiliana

You'll have to look for a more beautiful location for a padel court. The courts in Frigiliana, voted the most beautiful village in Spain, are located by a ravine on the outskirts of the village . You can book through the Playtomic app. The two courts are about 10 minutes by car from Nerja. There you can also take lessons from the nice Frenchman Vincent. Get in touch with us and we will put you in touch.

Padel courts in Torrox

Complejo tenis y pádel Ferrara in Torrox , about 15 minutes by car from Nerja, offers 5 padel courts and 4 tennis courts. Book by calling +34 952 539 876 or by visiting the facility .

Padel courts in La Herradura

Las Palomas Pádel in La Herradura, about 20 minutes from Nerja, is run by the friendly Englishwoman Ruth. Here you will find three courts that can be booked by phone +34 670 673 169 or by visiting the facility. Ruth also organizes tournaments and other events. On these courts you can take lessons from Jony, who has undergone padel training in Granada. Get in touch with us and we will put you in touch.

Padel courts in Velez Malaga

In Velez Málaga, about 25 minutes by car from Nerja, there are two indoor facilities that are great for rainy days. The facilities are Padelfly with 4 indoor courts and In Motion Padel Club .

Padel courts in Torre del Mar

Vals Sport Axarquia , about 25 minutes by car from Nerja, offers 7 padel courts. You can book through the Playtomic app.

Other things about padel in Nerja

Padel is a sport that brings people together, and in Nerja it has found a thriving community. Whether you are an experienced player or just curious to try something new, Nerja offers fantastic opportunities to explore this fascinating sport. With its friendly atmosphere and excellent facilities, Nerja is the perfect place to dive into the world of padel.

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