Padel vs tennis: what are the differences?
Court, racket, rules, playing off the walls: we compare padel and tennis to understand what really sets them apart.
L'équipe Holipadel2 min read
Contents
Padel and tennis look alike from afar, but play very differently. If you are hesitating between the two or come from tennis, here is a clear comparison of the main differences.
The court
The padel court is much smaller than a tennis court, and above all it is enclosed by glass and mesh that are part of the game. Padel is almost always played as doubles, which makes it very social, whereas tennis is played in both singles and doubles.
The racket
The padel racket is solid, stringless, shorter and perforated. It is easier to handle than a tennis racket, which makes padel more accessible to beginners and gentler on the arm.
Rules and the serve
Scoring is identical to tennis (15, 30, 40, game). The big difference comes from the serve: in padel it is underhand, below waist height, after a bounce on the ground. Easier to execute, it puts players on an equal footing from the start.
Playing off the walls
This is padel's signature: the ball can bounce off the glass and stay in play. This dimension changes the whole tactical game, lengthens rallies and rewards positioning over pure power. In tennis, a ball that hits a wall or goes out is simply lost.
The big difference: in tennis, power dominates; in padel, positioning and tactics win the points.
Accessibility and learning curve
Padel is easier to pick up: you have fun from the first session, without perfect technique. Tennis takes longer to master the strokes and sustain a rally. It is one of the reasons for padel's explosion.
Which to choose
To start fast, play in a group and enjoy immediate fun, padel is unbeatable. For a more technically and physically demanding sport, tennis keeps all its appeal. And nothing stops you doing both: the sensations complement each other.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, to start: a smaller court, an easy-to-handle racket, a simplified serve and the walls that extend rallies. You have fun from the first session.
Yes: 15, 30, 40, then the game, and sets of six games. The big difference comes from the underhand serve and playing off the walls.
No. Padel is accessible to complete beginners and is picked up very fast, even without tennis experience.
About the author
L'équipe Holipadel
Conseils de séjour, destinations et bonnes adresses pour loger au plus près des courts de padel, partout dans le monde.
