In Padel, scoring is the same as tennis – but there are many differences between the sports. A Padel court has walls, so shots can be played off them, like in squash.
Also, unlike tennis, when a ball is served it must bounce once on the floor then hit from below, or at, waist height. When serving, players have two attempts to hit into an opponent’s box.
Players can also volley the ball during a rally however the ball is determined as “out” should it hit a wall directly. In Padel, players can bounce the ball off a wall on their own side of the court – similar to squash.
Like tennis, a set is won when a team wins six games and there is at least two games difference – failing that the set is decided by a tie-break. Matches are best of three sets.
Serve
Serve diagonally standing behind service line. Returner may stand wherever they like. Two serves as in tennis.
The server must first bounce the ball, then hit it below waist level. Server must keep at least one foot on the ground when hitting the serve and feet may not touch/cross the service line while serving.
The ball must bounce in the service box opposite before being hit by returner.
If it bounces in the box and hits the wire mesh fencing before crossing the service line (on the returner’s side), it’s a fault.
If the ball hits the net and bounces in the box it’s a let unless it touches the wire mesh fencing before the 2nd bounce.
Play
Ball must first bounce on the ground on the opponent’s side before hitting a wall.
Players may volley instead of letting it bounce (except service return).
Players may hit the ball after it has bounced on mesh or glass (on their side) to send it back over the net.
Players may hit the ball against glass (side or back wall) on their side in order to return the ball. They may not hit the ball against mesh on their side.
As in tennis, the ball may only bounce once on your side, and it may only be hit once.