Padel is easier to learn than tennis but has its own set of rules that catch new players off guard, especially around the glass walls and serving. This guide covers the padel rules used in UK tournaments so you can step on court with confidence, whether you are playing your first social match or entering a ranked event.
Scoring — same as tennis
Padel uses exactly the same scoring system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, game, with deuce and advantage at 40–40. A set is won by the first side to six games with a two-game lead, and a tiebreak to seven points decides a set tied at 6–6. Matches are typically best of three sets in UK club tournaments, though some social events use a single set or a timed format to fit more matches into a session.
The serve
Serving in padel is underarm or sidearm, not overarm. The ball must be struck below waist height and bounce in the opponent's service box, diagonally opposite. You get two serves, and a let (net cord that lands in the correct box) is played rather than retaken. A common mistake for tennis players is throwing the ball up and hitting it from above the waist — this is a fault in padel. The serve must also be struck behind the service line and land before the back wall of the receiving side.
The glass and wall rules
This is where padel differs most from tennis. After the ball bounces on your side, you may let it hit the glass wall and play it back, as long as it only bounces once on the floor first. You can also play the ball off your own glass after it crosses the net, using the wall to create angles. However, if the ball hits the wire mesh directly on the full (without bouncing) or flies over the back wall entirely, the point is lost. The ball may be returned using the opponent's glass only after it has bounced on your side.
Court dimensions and doubles play
A padel court is 20m long and 10m wide, enclosed by glass and mesh at the ends and sides. Competitive padel is almost always played as doubles, with both players on a side sharing the court. The net is 88cm high at the centre and 92cm at the posts. Understanding the court geometry — especially the service boxes and the area close to the net where volleying is allowed — is essential for positioning and for reading your opponent's next shot.
Once you know the basics, the fastest way to improve is match practice. Find a tournament near you and put these rules to work in real competition.