Padel Tennis 101: Rules for Beginners

Are you new to padel tennis and looking to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of padel tennis? You have come to the right place! Padel tennis is a fun and exciting sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is played in an enclosed court with walls made of glass or concrete. Here are some basic rules of padel tennis to get you started:

The Court and Equipment

The padel court is rectangular in shape and measures 20 meters by 10 meters. The court is divided into two halves by a net, which is 1 meter high in the middle and 88 centimeters high at the ends. The players use paddles to hit a ball that is similar in size and weight to a tennis ball. The ball can be hit off the walls, which adds an element of excitement to the game.

The Serve

The serve is one of the most important aspects of padel tennis. The server stands behind the baseline and serves diagonally to the other side of the court. The serve must land within the service box on the opposite side of the court, and it must bounce once before the receiver can return it. The server is allowed two attempts to make a successful serve. If the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service box, it is called a let, and the server gets to try again.

Scoring

The scoring system in padel tennis is similar to that of tennis. A game is won by the first player/team to reach four points with a two-point advantage. The points are counted as follows: 15, 30, 40, and game. If both teams are tied at 40-40, it is called deuce. The team that wins the next point after deuce gets the advantage. If that team wins the next point, they win the game. If the other team wins the next point, it goes back to deuce.

The Game

The game begins with a serve, and after each point, the serve alternates between the two teams. The server must serve from the right-hand side of the court to start the game, and after that, they can choose which side to serve from. The ball must bounce once before each shot, whether it is on the serve or during the rally.

The Rules

Players cannot touch the net, and the ball cannot touch the ground outside the court. If the ball hits the ceiling or any other part of the roof, it is considered out of bounds. If a player hits the ball out of bounds, the opponent gets the point. If the ball hits the walls or the net and then goes over, it is still in play.

The Takeaway

In conclusion, padel tennis is a fun and exciting sport that anyone can enjoy. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or a beginner, these basic rules of padel tennis will help you get started. Remember to follow the rules, practice your serve, and have fun!