Knowing the fundamental differences between padel and tennis is important to understanding the uniqueness and appeal of each sport. Here are the main differences:
1. Site:
- Padel: The court is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, surrounded by 3-4 meter high walls (usually glass or netting), which are part of the game.
- Tennis: The size of the court depends on whether singles (8.23 m wide) or doubles (10.97 m wide) are played, and the length is always 23.77 m. The court is open and walls are not used for play.
2. Rackets:
- Padel: Played with a shorter, thicker, and solid (without strings) racket called a padel. The padel has many holes on its surface.
- Tennis: Played with a longer, lighter racket with strings.
3. Balls:
- Paddle: The balls are very similar to tennis balls, but have less internal pressure, so they bounce a little slower.
- Tennis: The balls are harder and have more internal pressure, so they bounce higher and faster.
4. Serving:
- Padel: Served only from below, hitting the ball below the waist after one bounce on the court's side.
- Tennis: Served from above, by throwing the ball into the air and hitting it overhead.
5. Gameplay and rules:
- Padel: After the ball bounces off the ground, it can bounce off the walls and still be in play. Players can use the walls on their side to pass the ball to the opponent's side.
- Tennis: The ball must bounce only once on its own side of the court before being hit over the net. Walls are not part of the game.
6. Scoring:
- Padel: The scoring system is identical to tennis: 15, 30, 40 and game. The first pair to win 6 games with a lead of at least two games wins the set. If the score is 6-6, a tie-break is played.
- Tennis: Points are also scored at 15, 30, 40 and game. To win a set, you need to win 6 games with a two-game lead, or a tie-break is played at 6-6 (except in some tournaments).
7. Number of players:
- Padel: Usually played in doubles (2 vs. 2).
- Tennis: Can be played in singles (1 vs. 1) or doubles (2 vs. 2).
8. Physical activity and technique:
- Paddle: Often considered less physically demanding for beginners due to the smaller court and the ability to use walls. The technique is a bit simpler than tennis.
- Tennis: Requires more stamina, speed, and powerful shots. Technique is more complex, especially serving.
9. Strategy:
- Padel: The use of walls, ball position, and teamwork are of great importance in strategy.
- Tennis: Strategy is more often associated with powerful and accurate shots, exploiting the opponent's position, and controlling the trajectory of the ball.
In summary, while both are racquet sports and have similar scoring systems, they differ in court size, equipment, serving style, and game dynamics. Padel is often considered easier to learn for beginners and more social due to the more frequent doubles play. Tennis requires more physical strength and technique.
