Cover We give you a complete guide to playing padel in Hong Kong (Photo: courtesy of Taikoo Place)
We give you a complete guide to playing padel in Hong Kong (Photo: courtesy of Taikoo Place)
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Want to play padel in Hong Kong? From the rules of the game to where you can practise, here’s all that you need to know
Racquet sports are currently having a moment, from the world-class tennis matches at the ongoing French Open to the recent buzz surrounding the Zendaya-starring tennis-themed movie, Challengers.
Tennis can be intimidating for solo beginners, especially given the limited availability of courts in Hong Kong. As a result, a Mexican alternative that combines social interaction and competitive play is gaining attention: padel.
Padel, pronounced as paddle, merges many of the principles of tennis and squash and is played on a smaller, specialised court which is one-third of the size of a traditional tennis court.
Padel is gaining traction in Hong Kong, thanks to spaces opening up in Sai Kung and a new pop-up location at Taikoo Place. Tatler spoke to Curtis Yu, co-founder of Padel+, the only padel club in Hong Kong—which runs the Taikoo and Sai Kung venues—on why the sport is catching on in our city.
“We saw an opportunity to enrich Hong Kong’s sports scene [through] the unique appeal of padel—its blend of social interaction and competitive play,” says Yu. “Compared to other racquet sports, it’s less physically demanding, while the camaraderie among players creates a vibrant social atmosphere. We bolster this collaboration through social games, like our monthly Beer and Padel event.”
As Hongkongers seek new recreational activities, the space-efficient and community-driven nature of padel positions it for growth in the city. Here’s all that you need to know about it.
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How to play padel?
Padel is typically played in doubles on a 20m by 10m court designed for four people to play in close proximity and at a fast pace. The objective is for a pair to win two sets out of three. The scoring is similar to tennis, with points rising from 15, 30, 40, and then game. If both teams are tied at 40-40, it’s a deuce, and a pair can win by scoring two consecutive points to reach the game.
One unique aspect of the sport is that players can hit the glass backboards for extra speed, and the smaller court ensures faster gameplay. For those looking to learn more about technique and in-depth rules, Padel+ in Sai Kung offers a variety of private and group lessons tailored to specific needs.
Where can you play padel in Hong Kong?
Currently, there’s only one permanent set of courts, located at the Padel+ club in Sai Kung. Those interested in playing can register online to book spaces and classes.
On the Hong Kong island side, there is the Padel Tour 2024 temporary court at One Island East in Quarry Bay, a Padel+ collaboration with Taikoo Place and Adidas, which is free to book until July 19.
Padel courts
Address: 4A Wang Kong Tsuen, Sai Kung; and One Island East, Taikoo Place, 18 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay
What do you need to play padel?
You will need a padel racquet and ball, both of which you can rent from Padel+ when you book a court. The carbon fibre racquets are smaller than tennis ones and have a perforated surface rather than strings. The padel balls are smaller too, suitable for smaller courts.
If you play regularly and want to improve your game, you can purchase these items and other accessories at the club shop in Sai Kung or from a few online stores.
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Amalissa Hall was the style writer at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on writing digital articles, she covers news, tracks trends and interviews experts from the fashion, beauty and wellness industries, as well as entertainment spheres. Interview highlights include Formula One driver Alex Albon, award-winning costume designer Jany Temime and prolific make-up artist Lisa Eldridge.
She has also produced print stories featuring make-up artists, perfumiers and other upcoming figures discussing Asian representation on social media, sharing industry insight and trends as well as explaining new approaches to wellness in Hong Kong.
