Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, combining elements of tennis and squash to create a fast-paced, strategic, and highly social game. While the sport is easy to pick up for beginners, understanding the basic rules is essential for fair and enjoyable play. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key rules of padel tennis.

1. The Court and Equipment

Padel is played on a smaller, enclosed court (20m x 10m), surrounded by glass and metallic mesh walls. The court is divided by a net, and the surface allows for ball rebounds off the walls, similar to squash. Players use solid, stringless rackets and a pressurized ball slightly less bouncy than a tennis ball.

2. Teams and Scoring

Padel is typically played in doubles (2 vs 2), although singles courts exist. The scoring system is the same as tennis:

  • 15, 30, 40, game.
  • If both teams reach 40, it’s called deuce, and a team must win two consecutive points to win the game.
  • Six games win a set, and matches are usually best of three sets.

3. Serving Rules

  • The serve must be underhand and hit below waist height.
  • The server stands behind the service line and must bounce the ball once before hitting it diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
  • The ball must not touch the net post and should land within the service box.
  • Players get two attempts to make a valid serve.

4. Ball in Play

  • After a legal serve, the ball can bounce once before being returned.
  • The ball may hit the glass or mesh walls after bouncing but must not hit the walls directly on the serve.
  • Players can use the walls to return shots after the ball has bounced on their side.
  • The ball remains in play until it bounces twice, hits the net, or goes out of bounds.

5. Out of Bounds

  • If the ball bounces and then hits the wall, it is still in play.
  • If the ball hits the wall or fencing before bouncing, it is out.
  • Balls that bounce and then fly over the side or back wall may still be played (for example, retrieved outside the court in some advanced play formats), but in amateur settings, they are usually considered out.

6. Let and Fault

  • A “let” is called when the ball clips the net during the serve but still lands in the correct box — the serve is replayed.
  • A serve is a fault if it misses the service box, hits the net and lands out, or is struck improperly.

7. Winning the Match

  • The team that wins two out of three sets wins the match.
  • In some formats, a tie-break is played at 6-6 to decide the set.

Conclusion

Padel tennis is a dynamic, strategic sport with straightforward rules that emphasize long rallies, teamwork, and intelligent positioning. By mastering these basic rules, new players can quickly get up to speed and begin enjoying this exciting sport. Whether you’re a casual player or aiming for competition, understanding the rules is your first step toward success on the court.