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Padel is a relatively straightforward game to play and its accessibility is helping to fuel its explosive growth.
While it will take time to become an expert and the learning curve is ultimately infinite, here is a guide to the basics of playing padel which the team at Padel39 have put together to introduce you to this wonderful sport.
Padel has been designed to have simple rules. This keeps the game fast-paced and enjoyable for all levels. Whille similar in nature to traditional tennis, padel is unique and has its own rules.
A padel serve must be underhand and hit below the server’s waist. The ball must bounce once on the receiver’s side of the court, diagonally opposite the server, before it hits any walls. It is not allowed to hit the cage - only the walls. The receiver can hit the ball directly back to the serving side or play off a wall on their side of the court. In this respect, padel is more like squash than tennis.
A point is won if the ball bounces twice on the opponent’s side of the net, hits the wall before bouncing on the opponent’s side or if your opponent hits the ball out of bounds.
Padel scoring will be very familiar to you if you have played traditional tennis, as the two sports share the same scoring system: 15, 30, 40 and ‘game’.
You must win by at least two points, so ‘deuce’ occurs at 40-40 and you need to win two points in a row to win the game.
Padel sets are typically played to six games, with a tie-breaker at 6-6, and a match is normally played as the best of 3 sets.
No - you need to play padel on a dedicated court such as the fantastic facilities we have here at Padel39.
While padel and traditional tennis share similarities, padel cannot be played on a standard tennis court due to its unique requirements.
Padel courts are smaller and enclosed by walls that are integral to the gameplay. The walls allow for rebounds and strategic shots that are unique to the sport of padel.
You may find multipurpose courts which allow a variety of sports to be played, but nothing beats having a dedicated court as you will not be confused by lines that are not needed for padel.
While you can play padel as a singles game, it is usually played on a smaller court. More than 90% of all the courts being built in the US are for doubles play, measuring 20 meters x 10 meters, with two players on each team. In contrast, a singles court measures 20 meters x 6 meters (ie. 4 meters narrower).
Doubles is an easier entry point for padel, while ensuring you more likely to start having serious fun sooner. Padel is a great social sport and playing doubles allows you to enjoy your time, both on and off the court, with more friends.
The after-match drinks here at Padel39 are to be enjoyed as much as your time on the court.
Whilst you can play padel with normal tennis balls, it is best played with dedicated padel balls, which are very similar to tennis balls but have slightly less pressure.
This helps slow the game down a little and it is easier to control the ball. If you use standard tennis balls, especially a fresh tube, you will not enjoy the optimum bounce and the extra speed and reduced control will impact the game.
Padel39 stocks a variety of equipment and can help you purchase the best kit to help you enjoy the sport.
This is an interesting question that we are often asked. We think that padel is as easy to pick up as picklelball, yet as challenging to master as tennis
Padel offers a much quicker learning experience and you will most likely reach a higher standard in padel than you would in tennis. The smaller court, underhand serving and ability to use walls all help to keep the ball in play and make the sport more accessible when compared to tennis, which is incredibly difficult to master.
Padel’s emphasis on doubles makes it more social and less physically demanding than singles tennis, which helps deliver more fun with less frustration.
We do not, however, believe that padel is ‘easy’ and you will be setting off on a fun journey that will give you continuous opportunities to improve. Padel has unique challenges and the strategic use of the walls and the quick reflexes that you need to develop ensure that it will remain challenging as you become more experienced.
Padel is an extremely rewarding sport that you will not outgrow.
