Padel, a blend of tennis and squash, is a thrilling racquet sport played on a smaller court enclosed by walls. The rules of padel are straightforward, making it accessible to players of all skill levels. Here's a comprehensive overview of the rules of padel:
-
Court and Equipment:
- Padel is played on a court with dimensions of 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width.
- The court is surrounded by walls made of glass or solid material, with a height of 3 meters at the back and 2 meters on the sides.
- The court is divided into two halves by a net, which is 10 meters long and 0.88 meters high at the center.
-
Scoring:
- Padel follows the same scoring system as tennis, with matches typically played as the best of three sets.
- Each set is played to 6 games, with a tiebreaker played at 6-6.
- A game is won by the first side to reach 4 points with a margin of at least 2 points. If the score reaches 3-3, it's called "iguales" (deuce), and the next point determines the advantage.
- Points are counted as follows: 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, and game.
-
Service:
- The serve must be executed underhand and diagonally, from behind the baseline, into the diagonally opposite service box.
- The server must stand behind the baseline and cannot step into the court until after making contact with the ball.
- The serve is delivered underhand and must bounce once on the serving side and once on the receiving side before being returned.
-
Return of Serve:
- The return of serve must be made after the ball has bounced on the receiving side.
- The ball must be returned before it touches the ground for a second time.
- The returner and their partner can choose who returns the serve.
-
General Play:
- After the serve, the ball can be played off the walls, similar to squash, adding an extra dimension to the game.
- Players must allow the ball to bounce once before returning it, but volleys are also allowed.
- Matches are typically played in doubles, with each player taking turns to serve and return.
-
Faults and Let:
- A fault occurs if the ball hits the walls or ceiling without touching the ground inside the court boundaries, or if a player fails to return the ball before it bounces twice.
- A let is called if the serve hits the net but still lands in the correct service box, or if there is interference during play, such as a ball from another court entering the playing area.
-
Interference and Hindrance:
- Players must avoid interfering with their opponents' ability to play the ball.
- Accidental interference may result in a let being called, while intentional interference can lead to the loss of a point or disqualification.
-
Winning the Match:
- The match is won by the first side to win two sets.
- If the match reaches a third set, it is played to 6 games, with a tiebreaker played at 6-6.
By following these rules, players can enjoy the fast-paced action and strategic gameplay that make padel such an exciting sport. Whether playing for fun or in competitive matches, adherence to the rules ensures fair play and an enjoyable experience for all involved.