If you've played tennis, padel will feel familiar within minutes, but a few differences catch everyone out at first. Here's how the two sports compare, and what to expect at your first game.
The court
A padel court is 20m long and 10m wide, about a third the size of a tennis court. It's enclosed by glass walls at each end and partly along the sides, with mesh fencing for the rest. There's a net across the middle, just like tennis.
The walls are the big difference. After the ball bounces on your side, it can come off a wall and still be played. Learning to let the ball come off the back glass, rather than rushing at it, is the first skill most new players pick up.
The racket
A padel racket has no strings. It's a solid, perforated paddle with a foam core, shorter than a tennis racket and with a wrist strap you must wear. Because it's shorter, the ball is closer to your hand, which makes it easier to make contact. That's one reason beginners enjoy padel so quickly.
Our guide to choosing a padel racket explains shapes, weights and materials.
The ball
Padel balls look like tennis balls but have slightly less pressure, so they bounce a little lower and play a bit slower. Use proper padel balls if you can, because tennis balls bounce too high off the glass.
Serving
- The serve is underarm. You bounce the ball behind the service line and hit it at or below waist height.
- It goes diagonally into the opposite service box, as in tennis.
- You get two attempts, as in tennis.
- If the serve bounces in and then hits the side or back glass, it's still in play. If it hits the mesh fence before bouncing a second time, it's a fault.
Scoring
Scoring is the same as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, then sets of six games. Many clubs play a "golden point" at deuce, a single deciding point instead of advantage, which keeps games moving.
Doubles, almost always
Padel is nearly always played as doubles. That makes it sociable and easy to organise. Most clubs and apps let you book a court and find three other players at your level.
Is padel easier than tennis?
For most people, yes, at the start. The smaller court, shorter racket and underarm serve mean rallies happen from the first session. Tennis takes longer before you can keep the ball in play. At a high level, padel is just as demanding, with lots of tactics around the walls and net play.
What you need for your first game
- A racket: rent one at the club first, or see our padel rackets.
- Court shoes with a herringbone or clay-court sole. Running shoes give little side-to-side support and slip on the court surface.
- Comfortable sportswear, plus a sweatband if you get hot.
- Water: games are quick and rallies are long.
Ready to buy your own racket? Take a look at our padel collection.