Padel is not clearly more dangerous than tennis, but the risks are different. A 2023 review of padel injury studies found about 3 injuries per 1,000 hours of padel training, with the elbow, knee, shoulder and lower back most affected. Padel adds some specific risks, such as the walls, playing close to the net and partner collisions, but it also involves less long-distance running than tennis.
What the research says
A systematic review published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine in 2023 pulled together eight studies covering 2,022 padel players (Dahmen et al., 2023). It found:
- About 3 injuries per 1,000 hours of padel training, and about 8 per 1,000 matches.
- The elbow was the most commonly injured area, followed by the knee, shoulder and lower back.
- Tendon and muscle injuries were the most common types.
The authors note that the research is still limited, so the figures should be treated as a guide rather than a final answer. Padel has been studied far less than tennis, which makes a precise head-to-head comparison difficult.
Risks that are more specific to padel
- The walls. Chasing a ball into the glass or the corner can lead to knocks. Most players learn to let the ball come off the wall rather than running into it.
- Close-range net play. All four players can be near the net at once, so balls arrive quickly at close range. See what happens if the ball hits you.
- Partner clashes. In doubles, two rackets can meet in the middle. The compulsory wrist cord reduces the risk of a flying racket.
- Repetitive overheads. Lots of bandejas and smashes load the shoulder and elbow.
Risks that are lower than in tennis
- Less running. The court is smaller and you share it with a partner.
- No overhead serve. The underarm serve puts less strain on the shoulder than a tennis serve.
- Lighter balls. Padel balls have slightly lower pressure, and rallies tend to be about control rather than all-out power.
How to reduce your risk
- Warm up properly. Our padel warm-up routine takes less than ten minutes.
- Wear padel or court shoes with good grip. See the best padel shoes.
- Relax your grip to protect your elbow. Read how tightly to grip a padel racket.
- Use the wrist cord every time, as the official rules require.
- Communicate with your partner on balls down the middle.
- Build up gradually if you are new to racket sports or returning after a break.
For more detail on specific injuries, read the most common padel injuries and how to avoid tennis elbow. If you have pain that does not settle, see a doctor or physiotherapist.
For more on how hard padel is on your joints, see is padel low impact.
The bottom line
Padel is not clearly more dangerous than tennis. Injuries happen in both sports, mostly to the elbow, knee and shoulder. In padel, respect the walls, keep your racket under control and warm up properly.
Related questions
What is the most common padel injury?
Research suggests the elbow is the most commonly injured area in padel, followed by the knee, shoulder and lower back.
Is padel safe for beginners?
Yes, for most people. Warm up, wear proper shoes, use the wrist cord and build up your playing time gradually.
Do I need eye protection for padel?
It is not required, but some players wear protective sports glasses, especially if they play a lot of fast exchanges at the net.