Padel tennis is a fast-growing sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, making it dynamic, fun, and social. Played in doubles on an enclosed court, padel is relatively easy to pick up but has its own unique set of rules. Whether you’re new to the sport or just need a refresher, here’s a guide to the basic rules of padel tennis.

1. Court and Equipment

  • Court Size: Padel courts are 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, enclosed with glass and mesh walls.
  • Net Height: The net is slightly lower in the middle (88 cm) and rises to 92 cm at the sides.
  • Rackets: Players use solid padel rackets (no strings) and pressurized tennis balls, slightly less bouncy than regular tennis balls.

2. Scoring System

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:

  • Points go 15, 30, 40, then game.
  • At 40-40, it’s “deuce”, and players must win two consecutive points to win the game.
  • A set is won by the first team to reach six games with at least a two-game lead.
  • Most matches are best of three sets.

3. Serving Rules

  • The serve must be underhand and hit below waist height.
  • The ball must bounce once behind the service line before being hit diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
  • The server has two attempts.
  • If the ball hits the net and lands correctly in the service box, it is a “let” and the server retries.

4. Ball in Play

  • The ball must bounce once on the ground before hitting the wall.
  • After the bounce, the ball can rebound off any of the glass walls but not the metal fencing.
  • Players may also hit the ball off the wall on their side to send it over the net (like in squash).
  • The ball is allowed to bounce once on the opponent’s side; a second bounce ends the point.

5. Scoring Points

You win a point if:

  • The ball bounces twice on your opponent’s side.
  • The opponent hits the ball into the net or outside the court boundaries.
  • The opponent hits the ball before it crosses the net or hits it out without bouncing in your side first.
  • The ball hits the metal fence after bouncing on the ground.

6. Unique Padel Features

  • Walls are part of the game: You can use the walls strategically, similar to squash.
  • Volleys and smashes are key: Padel encourages fast, close-to-the-net play.
  • Teamwork matters: Since it’s always played in doubles, communication and positioning are crucial.

Final Thoughts

Padel is easy to start but hard to master — part of what makes it so addictive! Understanding the basic rules will help you enjoy the game, whether you’re playing casually or aiming to compete. Grab a racket, find a partner, and hit the court!