How Padel Is Different From Tennis

If you play tennis, padel will feel familiar in some ways and refreshingly different in others. You will recognize the volleys, lobs and scoring. The enclosed court and wall rebounds introduce a new set of choices—and a good reason to keep a rally going.

A smaller, enclosed court

Padel is usually played as doubles on a 20-by-10-meter court. A doubles tennis court is 23.77 by 10.97 meters, with additional space beyond its lines. In padel, walls and mesh enclose the playing area and become part of the rally.

After an opponent’s shot bounces in your court, you can let it rebound from the glass before returning it. You still need to hit it before the second floor bounce. A shot that reaches your glass before your floor is out. Learning to wait for that rebound is often the biggest adjustment for tennis players.

Rackets and balls

A padel racket has a solid, perforated face rather than strings. The felt-covered ball resembles a tennis ball but has lower pressure. Together, they give the game its own feel: compact preparation and controlled contact often work better than a large tennis backswing.

An underarm serve

Every point begins with a bounced, underarm serve—not an overhead tennis serve. Make contact at or below waist height and send the ball into the diagonally opposite service box. The receiver must let it bounce before returning it. A first-service fault gives the server a second attempt.

Familiar scoring, with format choices

Games use 15, 30 and 40, and sets are commonly played to six games with a two-game margin or a tie-break at six-all. The format at deuce is not always identical: advantage, Golden Point and Star Point formats are used. Check which format your match is following before you start.

Control matters more than a clean winner

A hard shot can come back from the glass, so power alone does not finish every point. Look for placement, a low bounce and opportunities to move forward with your partner. A well-timed lob can push your opponents back and help you recover court position.

Padel also has distinctive overheads, including the bandeja and víbora. You do not need them all at once. Build a reliable serve, volley and defensive rebound first, then add more options as you play.

What transfers—and what to rethink

Reading the ball, split-stepping, volleying and communicating in doubles are valuable starting points. The habit to reconsider is treating every ball that passes you as a lost point. Give yourself room to follow it off the wall, keep your preparation compact and recover alongside your partner.

Quick questions

Is padel easier than tennis?

Many beginners find the underarm serve and compact court approachable. Playing well still takes practice, especially when reading rebounds and moving as a pair.

Will my tennis experience help?

Yes—particularly your reactions, court awareness and doubles communication. Stay open to a different rhythm instead of trying to hit every shot as you would in tennis.

Can I use a tennis racket?

No. Use a padel racket and padel balls, and wear the racket’s safety strap while playing.

Can I volley the serve?

No. Let the serve bounce in the correct service box first. Volleys are allowed once the return has been played.