ABOUT PADEL

Padel Tennis Rules: Everything You Need to Know Before You Play

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world—and for good reason. It’s fun, social, and easy to learn, even if you’ve never picked up a racket. Whether you’re booking a luxury villa in Miami with a private padel court or just curious about how the game works, here’s a simple breakdown of the official rules of padel tennis.

What is Padel?

Padel is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court smaller than a tennis court. It combines elements of tennis and squash, and it’s known for being fast-paced and strategic.

Basic Rules of Padel

1. Scoring System

Padel uses the same scoring as tennis:

• 0 = Love

• 15

• 30

• 40

• Game
  Tied at 40-40? That’s called “deuce,” and players must win two consecutive points to take the game.

2. Serve Rules

• The ball must be bounced behind the service line and hit underhand.

• The serve must go diagonally into the opposite service box.

• The ball must bounce once before the return.

• The ball can touch the glass wall after bouncing, but not the metal mesh directly.

• You get two serves, just like in tennis.

3. Let Serve

If the serve hits the net but lands in the correct service box, it’s a “let” and is replayed. There’s no limit on the number of lets.

During the Rally

4. Ball in Play

• The ball must bounce on the ground before touching the glass wall.

• If the ball hits the wall before bouncing, it’s out.

• The ball can bounce once and then hit the wall or fence.

• You can also hit the ball after it bounces off your own wall (used for defense).

5. Double Bounce = Point

Only one bounce is allowed per side. If the ball bounces twice before being returned, the point goes to the other team.

6. Volley Rules

• You can hit volleys (without letting the ball bounce), except when returning a serve.

• Smashes are allowed, and the ball can leave the court after a smash—but must land within bounds first.

Court and Equipment

• Court Dimensions: 20m x 10m (65.6ft x 32.8ft)

• Walls: Glass and/or metal mesh

• Racket: Solid, stringless padel racket

• Ball: Similar to a tennis ball but slightly lower pressure

Winning the Match

• A standard match is best of three sets.

• To win a set, a team must win six games with at least a two-game lead.

• If the set is tied 6-6, a tiebreak is played.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Serving overhand (must be underhand)

• Hitting the ball before it bounces on the return of serve

• Letting the ball hit the wall before it hits the ground

• Playing singles—padel is doubles only

Play Padel in Style

Want to try padel on your next Miami vacation? At Cada Di Ace, we offer stunning luxury villas with private padel courts—so you can play whenever you want, without crowds or wait times. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, there’s no better way to enjoy the sport than on your own court under the Miami sun.

Book your stay today and experience padel like never before.