What are the main rules of paddle tennis?

Paddle tennis, commonly known as padel in much of the world, is a racket sport governed by clear rules that prioritize quick rallies, teamwork, and use of the court's enclosed walls. According to the International Padel Federation, the sport is almost always played in pairs on a compact, enclosed court and uses scoring and match formats closely related to lawn tennis. Understanding the main rules clarifies why padel is accessible in dense urban areas and why it has grown rapidly in Spain and Latin America.

Court, Equipment, and Players
The official court measures ten meters by twenty meters and is surrounded by glass and metal mesh that remain in play after the ball bounces. The net divides the court at the midpoint. Players use solid, stringless paddles and a low-compression ball similar to a tennis ball but slightly less bouncy. Teams consist of two players each in standard competitive play, making communication and positioning essential. The compact court and wall play encourage short, strategic points rather than long baseline rallies common in other racket sports.

Scoring, Service, and Play
Scoring follows the familiar sequence used in tennis: points proceed 15, 30, 40, and game, with sets typically played to six games and a tiebreak used at six all when required by competition rules. Serves must be executed underarm, struck with the ball below waist level after a bounce, and must land diagonally in the opponent’s service box. If the served ball bounces once and then contacts the side wall, play continues; after the first bounce all subsequent wall rebounds remain in play. Volleys are allowed except on the serve return before the ball has bounced. These rules combine to produce a distinctive rhythm where placement and anticipation are often more decisive than raw power.

Causes and Consequences of the Rule Set
The particular combination of an enclosed court and permissive wall rebounds causes tactical play centered on angles and cooperative positioning. Because points can continue after walls are used, athletic demands differ from open-court tennis, favoring reflexes and teamwork. This makes padel well suited to urban settings where space is limited and to social play that emphasizes accessibility. The International Padel Federation has documented how these features contribute to the sport’s rapid expansion in Spain and other countries.

Cultural and Territorial Nuances
Padel’s popularity has cultural roots in Spain and Argentina where community courts and club culture support widespread amateur participation. Urban planners and clubs favor padel because of its small footprint and appeal across ages and skill levels, producing social and economic effects such as increased demand for municipal courts and local coaching. The sport’s governance by an international federation helps standardize rules for international competition while local leagues adapt formats to community preferences.

Reliable guidance on specifics of serve rules, court construction, and competition formats is available from the International Padel Federation, which provides the official rulebook for organizers and players.