COURT AND EQUIPMENT
Court
The padel court is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, with walls or fences enclosing it. The walls are used for gameplay, allowing the ball to bounce off them. The court is divided into two service boxes and a central area by the net, with a service line 3 meters from the net and a center line dividing the service boxes. The playing surface is typically artificial turf, concrete, or carpet.
Net
Similar to tennis, the net divides the court into two halves. The net height is 88 cm (34.6 inches) at the center and 92 cm (36.2 inches) at the posts.
In comparison to Padel, tennis has a slightly higher net, measuring 91.4 cm at the center and 107 cm at the posts
Racket
Solid, perforated, no strings, typically made of composite materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass, with a foam core for shock absorption. The racket is designed to be lightweight and balanced for control and power
Ball
Similar to tennis balls but with less pressure.
The ball must be 6.35 to 6.77 cm in diameter and weigh between 56.0 to 59.4 grams. It should bounce between 135 and 145 cm when dropped from 2.54 meters
Teams
Played in doubles. Padel is a team sport where we play with a partner to face another pair.
ScorinG SYSTEM
Padel adopts the scoring system of tennis:
FUN FACT: Do you know why is Tennis scored 15, 30 and 40?
There are several different theories about why tennis is scored 15, 30, 40. One theory credits the system to a ancient sport called jeu de paume, where players would advance in increments of 15 feet per point won. Another theory suggests that a clock face was used to keep track of the score, with each point advancing the minute hand to 15, 30, and 40.
If you want to see how jeu de paume is played, check out this video: Watch Jeu de Paume.
SERVING
Gameplay in Padel
After the serve, the ball is allowed to hit the ground once before it must be returned. Players can strategically use the court’s walls to return the ball, adding a unique element to the game. However, the ball must not bounce twice on the ground before being hit, and it must avoid hitting the net.
Additionally, the ball must stay within the court boundaries; any ball landing outside these boundaries results in a fault. These rules ensure continuous and dynamic rallies.
PADEL RULES: Is It Considered Two Bounces if the ball hits the ground and the wall?
The answer is: No!
The ball is allowed to bounce once on the ground and then off the wall before being returned. This combination of ground and wall contact is not considered two bounces. The ball must not bounce twice on the ground before being hit, but using the walls after the first bounce on the ground is a strategic part of the game. This rule adds to the game’s complexity and allows for creative shot-making.
Faults and Let
Winning the Match
First team to win 2 sets wins the match!
Padel Rules Mastered! Ready TO PLAY?
Ready to test your Padel skills? Take our quick Padel Test and see where you stand! Looking for a place to play? Use our Find a Court tool to locate the nearest padel courts and start your game today!
For more detailed information, review the official padel rules from the International Padel Federation: International Padel Federation Rules