Beginner's Diary
Padel from zero: first lessons, mistakes and small wins.
About this column
An honest diary for absolute beginners: first lessons, the mistakes nobody warns you about, choosing your first racket and your first steps on court. Thinking about your first game? Start here.
Articles in Beginner's Diary
GearPadel Balls: The Gear Nobody Thinks About
Everyone obsesses over rackets and shoes, then plays with whatever ball is lying around — here's why pressure, wear and Tashkent's heat matter more.
For beginnersPadel Tilt: How Not to Wreck Your Whole Match Over One Mistake
One ball into the net and your head follows it. Here's how padel beginners reset fast after a mistake instead of unraveling for the rest of the match.
GearHow to Choose Padel Shoes: A Beginner's Guide
Your shoes matter more than your racket, yet most beginners buy them last. Here's how to pick the sole, the fit, the budget — and avoid the classic mistakes.
For beginnersPadel Skill Levels: The 1.0–7.0 Scale Explained
Padel levels run on a 1.0–7.0 scale — and yours decides which tournaments you can enter and who you'll actually enjoy playing. Here's how to find your number.
For beginnersPadel Scoring Explained: From 15-Love to the Golden Point
Padel borrows tennis numbers but adds the golden point, a 7-point tiebreak and a few quirks of its own. A step-by-step guide so you keep score from match one.
TechniqueThe Padel Serve: The One Shot You Fully Control
The only shot you hit with no pressure from your opponent. The rules, the grip, step-by-step technique, placement and the mistakes every beginner makes.
For beginnersPadel vs Tennis: The Real Differences and Why Padel Is Easier to Start
Padel and tennis only look alike from a distance. We break down the court, racket, rules and scoring — and explain why padel is so much easier to pick up from zero.
TechniquePlaying Off the Back Wall: Stop Fearing the Glass in Padel
In padel the glass is not your enemy — it's a second chance. How the ball behaves off the wall, the basic back-glass technique, and drills for beginners.