Rules & Guides
Everything you need to know about padel — from first serve to match point.
🤔What is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It's played in doubles on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court. The walls are part of the game — the ball can be played off them similar to squash, creating dynamic rallies and unique strategies.
Originating in Mexico in 1969 (invented by Enrique Corcuera), padel has exploded in popularity across Spain, Argentina, and now the United States. It's the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, with an estimated 25+ million players globally.
- ✦Always played in doubles (2v2)
- ✦Underhand serve only
- ✦Walls are in play after the ball bounces
- ✦Scoring is identical to tennis
- ✦Solid (no strings) padel rackets are used
- ✦The court is enclosed by glass walls and metallic mesh
📏Basic Rules
Scoring
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Deuce at 40-40 with advantage. Sets are first to 6 games with a tiebreak at 6-6. Matches are best of 3 sets. In professional play, the golden point rule is used at deuce — the receiving team chooses which side to receive.
Serving
The serve must be underhand. The server bounces the ball and hits it at or below waist level. The serve is diagonal (like tennis) and must land in the opponent's service box. The ball can hit the glass wall after bouncing but not the mesh/fence. Two serves are allowed (first and second serve).
Walls & Boundaries
After the ball bounces on the ground, it can be played off any wall (glass or mesh) on your side. You can even exit the court through the side openings to play a ball that has gone over the glass! The ball is out if it hits the mesh/fence before bouncing (on the opponent's side) or if it goes over the back glass without bouncing first on the ground.
Volleys
You can volley (hit before the bounce) anywhere except on the return of serve. Net play is crucial in padel — the team that controls the net usually wins the point. Smashes are a key offensive weapon, and the "bandeja" (a controlled overhead) and "víbora" (a sliced overhead) are signature padel shots.
📐Court Dimensions
Length: 20 meters (65.6 ft)
Width: 10 meters (32.8 ft)
Net Height: 88 cm center, 92 cm sides
Back Wall: 4m glass + mesh above
Side Walls: 3m glass tapering, with mesh
Service Line: 6.95m from back wall
🎾Key Differences from Tennis
| Feature | Padel | Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Enclosed with walls | Open court |
| Format | Always doubles | Singles or doubles |
| Serve | Underhand only | Overhead |
| Racket | Solid, perforated | Stringed |
| Walls | Ball playable off walls | No walls |
| Court Size | 20m × 10m (~⅓ of tennis) | 23.77m × 10.97m |
For the complete official rulebook, visit the International Padel Federation:
Official FIP Rules →