Where does padel come from?
What is the difference between padel and tennis?
Anyone who knows tennis will quickly find their way around padel - and will still be surprised at how different the game feels. The most important differences:
The playing field is smaller and surrounded by walls. A padel court measures 20 × 10 meters (a doubles tennis court: 23.77 × 10.97 meters). The walls made of glass and metal grids are an active part of the game - similar to squash, the ball can be played back from the wall.
The racket is completely different. Instead of a covered surface, a padel racquet has a solid, perforated hitting surface made of composite materials such as carbon fiber and foam. The holes reduce air resistance and weight. At around 46 cm long, the racket is significantly shorter than a tennis racket.
The impact comes from below. No powerful overhead serve like in tennis - in padel the ball is hit below the hip. This makes getting started much easier.
Padel is played almost exclusively in doubles. Four players, two against two – that ensures short distances, quick rallies and lots of action.
The playing field: The padel court in detail
By default, a padel court has a length of 20 meters and a width of 10 meters. The playing area is divided into two equal halves by a net. The net height is in the middle 88cm and to the post 92cm – slightly lower than in tennis.
Walls extend around the playing field: The back walls are usually made of glass and are up to 3 meters high, above which there is a metal grille 4 meters Total height. The walls are lower on the sides and there are open areas through which players can even leave the court to run a ball - a spectacular element of the game.
Each half of the court is divided into two service fields by a center line. The so-called T-line marks the impact zone.
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The padel rules: This is how it is played
Points within a game: 0 – 15 – 30 – 40 – game. If there is a tie (40:40, also called a "deuce"), a team must win two points in a row. The first point after Deuce is called “Advantage”. In some tournament formats, a decisive point is played in Deuce (so-called "Golden Point").
Set: The team that goes first six games wins and is at least two games ahead wins the set. At 6:6 a tiebreak will be played.
Match: A match is usually over two winning sets decided (best of three).
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1st position
The server stands behind the service line on his or her side of the court.
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2. Ball throw
The ball is not thrown, but dropped. He has to jump once behind the service line.
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3rd blow
The ball will below hip height hit – an undercut or flat hit is common.
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4. Direction
The serve works diagonally over the net into the opponent's service court (T-court).
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5. Two attempts
As in tennis, everyone has players two serve attempts per point. If the first serve does not land correctly, the second follows. If this also fails, it is a Double fault – and the point goes to the opponents.
Why padel is so popular
Padel has experienced a real boom in recent years - and there are good reasons for that. The sport is to learn quickly, because the serve comes from below and the smaller court means shorter walking distances. At the same time, the wall game offers a enormous tactical depth, which always challenges even experienced players.
In addition, since padel is played in doubles, it is an extreme one social sport. The rallies are longer than in tennis, the rallies are more dynamic, and the shared playing experience is the main focus. Whether with friends, family or in a company group – padel brings people together.
And best of all: you don’t need years of previous experience. Unlike tennis, where the serve alone requires months of practice, in padel you can play real rallies and have fun from day one.
Ready for your first match?
All you need is a padel racket, a pair of sports shoes and three teammates. Most padel facilities offer rental rackets so you can try out the sport very easily. Of course you can find the right equipment for your next level here Padel Point.
See you on the court!
Frequently asked questions
The point ends when:
the ball bounces twice on the ground in one half of the field.
The ball is hit into the net
The ball is played directly (without previously hitting the ground in the opponent's field) against the opponent's wall or grid
A player touches the ball with his body
The ball lands outside the playing field without first touching the wall
The serve is repeated (so-called “let”) if the ball touches the net but still lands correctly in the correct service area and bounces there. Even if the ball touches the glass wall after hitting the net, the serve is repeated.
Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. The game is played on a 20 × 10 meter court surrounded by glass and grid walls. The walls are an active part of the game - the ball can be played back from them.
No, padel is considered one of the most accessible racket sports. The serve is from below, the playing field is smaller than in tennis and the rackets are shorter. Most beginners can play real rallies after just a few minutes.
Usually yes. Padel is designed as a double sport – two against two. Technically a single one is also possible, but in practice this is the absolute exception.