This sport is reaching out to young people.

Considered a "younger sibling" of tennis and pickleball, this sport has been gaining popularity in Ho Chi Minh City, gradually attracting younger players.

A new sport

On Monday morning, at a sports complex on Song Hành Street, An Khánh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly An Phú Ward, Thủ Đức City), the rhythmic "pop, pop" sounds echoed, interspersed with the laughter and chatter of young people experiencing padel, a new sport recently introduced to Vietnam.

The exciting, energetic atmosphere made many people feel like they were watching a mini tennis match. But it turned out to be Padel, a name that has been gradually spreading among young people in Ho Chi Minh City.

The sport of padel is gradually becoming popular among young people.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

According to coach Le Minh Tuan (33 years old), a former tennis player who has now switched to coaching padel, padel, with its blend of tennis and squash, is jokingly called a "hybrid sport" because it is both familiar and unique.

"The unique feature of Padel is that the court is smaller than a tennis court (approximately 20m x 10m), surrounded by tempered glass and a net. Players can utilize these glass walls to bounce the ball. Padel rackets are stringless, made from composite material, and have many holes to reduce drag. The ball used is a tennis ball but with lower pressure, resulting in a slower speed and easier control," Mr. Tuan explained.

Nguyen Gia Bao (26 years old, working at 88 Song Hanh Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) shared: "At first glance, it looked like mini tennis, but after playing, I realized it has its own unique charm. Because the court is small, you don't need to run too much, and thanks to the glass walls, many shots bounce back unexpectedly. It's more interesting than pickleball, a sport I tried half a year ago."

Padel is primarily played in pairs.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Ly Bao (23 years old, an employee at the padel golf course in Binh Hung commune, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Phong Phu commune, Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City)) said: "In just the last few months, the number of customers coming to experience it has tripled. They are mostly office workers, students, or people who have played pickleball before. Because padel golf courses are new and exciting, everyone wants to try them. In particular, young customers account for up to 70%."

According to Bao, the rental price for a padel court ranges from 400,000 to 600,000 VND per hour, usually divided equally among four players. Rackets can be rented on-site for 50,000 to 100,000 VND per use.

According to Vu Do Hoang Anh (27 years old, working at 43-45-47 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City): "Dividing this cost equally among the players is reasonable."

Some young people have said they feel a fondness for the sport of padel.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Is playing padel difficult?

According to coach Le Minh Tuan, the rules of Padel are basically quite simple. Matches are usually played in doubles (2 players per team), with scoring similar to tennis. Players serve by tossing the ball to the ground and hitting it into the diagonal area of ​​the court. The ball only bounces once on the court, and can then bounce off the wall before the other player returns it.

Vu Do Hoang Anh shared: "I used to play tennis, so I found it quite easy to get into the rhythm of Padel. The racket is light, and the ball is slow, making it easy to control. However, when the ball bounces off the wall, it gets a bit messy; you have to practice to get used to it. I think this sport is suitable for both men and women."

Tuan believes that compared to pickleball, which was a popular sport before, padel is more physically demanding due to its larger court area and more complex wall-popping rules. "However, players don't have to run long distances like in tennis, nor does it require sophisticated techniques. This is why many young people consider padel a 'middle ground' between fun and serious sports," Tuan said.

Anh Tuan advised: "The most difficult thing for beginners is handling rebounds. Many players instinctively rush after the ball, but it's actually better to wait for the ball to bounce before hitting it. Secondly, the serving technique is crucial; you need to practice tossing the ball consistently. Also, remember that Padel is a team game, don't be too individualistic."

Foreigners living in Ho Chi Minh City play padel.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Ms. Tran Mai Khanh (34 years old, working at 49 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) believes that padel "has high social value." Ms. Khanh explained: "Because it requires playing in pairs, everyone has to coordinate well and encourage each other. If you go to the gym, each person has their own machine, but padel creates interaction, suitable for young people who like to play and socialize at the same time."

Some foreigners living in Ho Chi Minh City have also quickly joined in. Jorge (28 years old, a Spaniard working in Ho Chi Minh City) shared: "In my home country, padel is extremely popular, sometimes even more so than tennis. I'm very happy to see this sport appear in Vietnam. I believe young people will love it because it's both a sport and an entertainment."

Mr. Tuan also advised beginners to prepare athletic shoes with good grip, as Padel courts are usually covered with artificial turf. "If you plan to play long-term, you can invest in your own racket (priced at 2-5 million VND), which is both lightweight and durable. Those who only play for the experience can rent rackets," Mr. Tuan said.

In addition to technical aspects, Mr. Tuan noted: "Padel helps improve reflexes, endurance, and hand-eye coordination. However, due to the nature of continuous body rotations and short jumps, players should warm up thoroughly to avoid hip and knee injuries."

Padel stadiums are gradually becoming more common in Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

For beginners learning padel

Coach Le Minh Tuan provides the following instructions:

1. Regarding clothing and equipment, you'll need athletic shoes with good grip, as padel courts are usually artificial turf. Padel rackets (can be rented or purchased, lightweight, solid surface with holes). Padel balls (similar to tennis balls but with lower pressure).

2. The basic and common rules are doubles play (2 players per team). Scoring is similar to tennis. When serving, the ball must be tossed to the ground and then hit diagonally across to the opponent's court. The ball can only bounce once on the court, after which it can bounce off the wall.

3. The difference compared to tennis and pickleball is that padel is played on a smaller court, surrounded by glass walls. Players utilize the walls to bounce the ball, creating unexpected shots. Padel rackets are solid and stringless. The ball travels at high speed.

4. A tip for beginners is not to rush after rebounds; wait for the ball to bounce before hitting it. Serve low, control the power, and don't hit too hard. Always coordinate well with your teammates and avoid "stealing the ball." Thoroughly warm up your hips, knees, and shoulders to avoid injury…

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mon-the-thao-nay-dang-tiep-can-nguoi-tre-185250910121257317.htm