Move over pickleball, padel has arrived in the Twin Cities

Pickleball might be all the rage, but there’s another racquet sport that’s quietly gaining popularity in the United States. It’s called padel and it originated in Mexico. The Heights Racquet and Social Club just opened the first padel court in Mendota Heights. It’s described as a mixture of squash and tennis. The court is made of astroturf and sand and it’s smaller than a tennis court. It’s played as doubles on an enclosed court and the glass walls are in-play. The Heights will be installing two more padel courts. It also has four squash courts, pickleball courts, gym equipment, locker rooms, showers and saunas. The Heights is located just north of Interstate 494, off of Pilot Knob Road at 1415 Mendota Heights Road.