Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world in recent years, and it has taken Estonia by storm. The secret to its success lies in its simplicity and social nature, making it an ideal hobby for players of all ages and levels. Essentially, padel is a racket sport that requires no prior experience. Here is a clear explanation of the game of padel, giving you a comprehensive overview of scoring, serving, and other essential rules you need to know before stepping onto the court.
What is Padel?
Padel is a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is a doubles game played by four people on an artificial grass court covered with a thin layer of sand. The court is enclosed by mesh and glass walls, which are an active part of the game and allow the ball to bounce off them, adding a strategic dimension.
Where did Padel originate?
The history of padel dates back to 1969, when Mexican businessman Enrique Corcuera invented the game at his home in Acapulco. Since his property didn't have space for a full-sized tennis court, he adapted his squash court and added walls to prevent the ball from getting lost. Initially, the walls and surface were concrete, and spectators couldn't watch the game. Over time, glass walls and artificial grass replaced the concrete.
The game spread quickly to Europe through his Spanish friends. Padel remained a niche sport for decades, but its popularity exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it can be played outdoors and involves no direct physical contact. Now, there are approximately over 30 million padel players worldwide, and it has never been more popular.
How to play Padel?
Padel rules and basics are universal – playing padel in Tallinn means following the same rules as playing padel anywhere else in the world.
Padel Scoring System
A padel match consists of three sets, which in turn consist of games. To win a match, you must win two sets.
To win a set, you must win six games and hold a lead of at least two games. If the score in games reaches a 6–6 tie, a tie-break is played where points are counted 1, 2, 3, etc., until one team reaches at least seven points with a two-point lead.
To win a game, you must score four points with a two-point lead. Points in a padel game are counted the same way as in tennis. Padel points:
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15 – one point;
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30 – two points;
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40 – three points.
If the game reaches a 40-40 tie, there are two possible options. In the classic approach, you need two consecutive points to win. The "Golden Point" rule means that at a 40-40 tie, a single point decides the fate of the entire game.
Serving
In padel, the serve differs from tennis primarily in that the shot is always taken underhand.
Serving position and technique:
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The server stands in their service area diagonally opposite the opponent's box.
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Before hitting, the ball must be bounced once on the ground, staying behind the service line.
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The hit must occur below waist level (hip height), i.e., underhand.
Correct serve:
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The ball must fly over the center net and land in the opponent's diagonal service box.
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After bouncing on the ground, the ball may hit the glass part of the opponent's wall.
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The ball must not touch the wire fence part of the wall after bouncing on the ground.
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If the ball grazes the net but lands in the correct box, the serve is considered valid and play continues.
The ball is not in play if:
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The ball lands in the wrong service box;
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The ball hits the opponent's side or back wall (directly from the air) before bouncing on the ground;
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The ball stays in the net;
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The ball touches the wire fence part of the wall after bouncing on the ground.
The server has two attempts for each point – if both fail, they lose the point (double fault).
Keeping the Ball in Play
After a successful serve, the point begins. The goal is to hit the ball to the opponent's side so that they cannot return it according to the rules. Here are the main padel rules to remember for keeping the ball in play.
Allowed shots during a point:
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The ball can be returned after it has bounced once on your side of the court.
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The ball can also be hit directly from the air (volley) before it reaches the ground (except when receiving a serve!).
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After bouncing on the ground, you can let the ball hit the glass wall and only then hit it back over the net. This is one of the most important strategic elements of padel.
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Players can also hit the ball against the glass wall on their own side to direct it over the net to the opponent's side via the rebound.
How is a point lost?
A point is considered lost if:
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The ball bounces twice on your side of the court;
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You hit the ball into the net;
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You hit the ball directly (without a prior bounce on the opponent's ground) against the opponent's side or back wall/fence;
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The ball hit by the opponent hits you or your partner (except the racket);
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You touch the net or net posts with your racket or body while playing the point.
Padel vs Tennis
Although there are many similarities, the difference between padel and tennis is noticeable.
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The padel court (10x20m) is smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by walls.
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In padel, the serve is underhand; in tennis, it is overhead.
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The padel racket is shorter, thicker, and stringless.
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The padel ball is somewhat smaller, and its internal pressure is lower.
Is Padel easier than tennis? Padel is considered easier for beginners to pick up. The smaller court and slower ball allow players to find the rhythm of the game faster.
Although the list of padel rules might seem long at first, the best way to learn them and master the game is through practice. Don't let the theory discourage you – once on the court with a racket and friends, everything quickly becomes intuitive and natural. The true charm of padel lies not in the rulebook, but in the dynamic rallies, good company, and shared joy of the game.
