Padel vs. Tennis: 8 Key Differences Explained

Padel vs. Tennis: The Ultimate Comparison

The padel court is smaller than a tennis court. Padel rules allow players to play outside of the court, while tennis prohibits this. When it comes to equipment, padel rackets feature a sturdy foam core with a shorter handle for better control; on the other hand, tennis rackets have a stringed head with a longer handle for powerful shots. Over the years, padel has gained immense popularity with players switching from tennis to padel. This is due to padel’s inclusive nature, opportunities to socialize that allow beginner players and players of different skill levels to enjoy the game. Let’s have a look at some major differences between padel and tennis.

1. Court Design and Dimensions

Padel court

Padel is usually considered easier than tennis due to its smaller court size. The standard padel court measures 20 meters in length and 10 meters in width, with walls that influence the overall gameplay. The padel net is also lower than a tennis net, measuring 88 cm high in the center. The small court dimensions, combined with the walls, demand quick reflexes, accuracy, and teamwork.

Tennis Court

The standard tennis court is 23.77 meters in length and 8.23 meters in width for singles. The doubles tennis court has a width of 10.97 meters. Another distinctive aspect is that tennis courts do not have walls, and players must keep the ball within marked boundaries.

2. Equipment

Padel Racket

Padel rackets are solid and stringless, with a shorter handle than tennis rackets. The racket is made of composite materials like carbon fiber/fiberglass. Advanced players can opt for a racket with carbon fibre, and for beginners, fibreglass is more suitable. Padel rackets also come in various shapes, primarily round, teardrop, and diamond, to suit different playing styles and skill levels.

Tennis racket

The tennis racket has a stringed design that varies in tension and dimensions. The tennis racket head is larger than a padel racket for more powerful strikes with minimal effort. There are many tennis racket types available in the market, varying in weight, string patterns and size, suitable for different player levels.

Padel ball

Padel balls look similar to tennis balls but have a lower internal pressure, resulting in a slower pace and lower bounce. Officially, they must be yellow or white, with a diameter of 6.35-6.77 cm and a weight of 56.0-59.4 grams.

Tennis ball

A tennis ball has a slightly larger diameter of 6.54-6.86 cm. While it has the same official weight (56.0-59.4 grams), it has higher internal pressure, making it bouncier and faster. They are almost always yellow (though white is also legal) and are designed for the larger, open court.

Padel Footwear

Padel shoes are designed for excellent grip and quick, multi-directional movements. These shoes are light, flexible, and agile with back cushioning, enhanced grip, and a circular outsole designed for all playing conditions.

Tennis Footwear

Tennis shoes are made for lateral movement with comfort and flexibility. Because tennis is played on different surfaces (clay, hard court, or grass), the outsoles vary. Clay court shoes have a herringbone pattern to allow sliding, while hard court shoes are more durable and prevent sliding.

3. Rules and Gameplay

The Serve: Underhand vs. Overhead

In padel, the serve must be hit underhand (at or below the waist). This makes the serve less of an attacking weapon and promotes longer, more immediate rallies. In contrast, the tennis serve is an overhand motion, allowing players to use it as a powerful, point-ending weapon.

Padel and Tennis Scoring Systems

The scoring systems are very similar: both racket sports count points as 15, 30, 40, and “game.” The main difference is how “deuce” (a 40-40 score) is handled. While traditional tennis (and some padel) uses the “advantage” rule, professional padel now primarily uses a “Golden Point”: the next point wins the game.

4. Gameplay Format: Doubles, Singles, and Walls

Padel: Doubles and Walls

Padel is typically played only in doubles. In this format, players strategically use the surrounding walls for rebound shots, which emphasizes precision, control, and teamwork.

Tennis: Singles and Doubles

Tennis is more flexible in terms of accommodating singles and doubles playing formats. The doubles format in tennis, played on an open court, relies on unique strategies, powerful cross-court shots, and collaborative efforts to cover the wider space.

5. Learning Curve and Beginner Experience

Regarding the learning curve, padel has a clear edge over tennis, making it famously beginner-friendly. Tennis can take years to master, while padel’s learning curve is more gentle, though it varies from person to person.

Padel: Padel is widely considered easier to learn. The underhand serve is simple to execute, and the softer ball is easier to control. The enclosed walls keep the ball in play, allowing for longer rallies even for beginners.

Tennis: Tennis has a steeper learning curve. Mastering the technical, overhand serve is a major hurdle. Furthermore, the open court means rallies can end quickly, and beginners often find the complex footwork and stroke mechanics challenging to learn.

6. Physical Demands and Health Benefits

Both these sports have different physical demands on players, which contribute to their unique dynamic gameplay.

Padel: Padel involves quick reflexes and bursts of lateral movement. The smaller court means less sprinting, but the use of walls demands high agility, coordination, and balance. Participating in padel events is a great way to take a break from daily stresses. It releases ‘happy hormones’ that boost mood & relieve stress. Another benefit of padel is that it is a social sport, most likely played in doubles. It brings a sense of belonging and social connection, allowing you to play a competitive match with like-minded people.

Tennis: In contrast, tennis demands higher cardiovascular endurance due to the larger court, requiring longer sprints and more ground to cover. Tennis is often cited as one of the healthiest sports, linked in studies to significant gains in life expectancy. This is due to:

• Constantly stretching and reaching for the ball keeps players on their toes, improving their agility and flexibility.
• The intense side-to-side movement and quick changes of direction are excellent for building both aerobic and anaerobic fitness.
• Tactical thinking, alertness, and quick reflexes help build self-confidence and presence of mind.

7. Injury Risk Comparison

Padel Injuries: Padel is often considered a player-friendly sport. The underhand serve and slower ball speed put less stress on the shoulder and elbow compared to tennis. However, a 2023 report in the National Library of Medicine noted an injury incidence rate of ~3 per 1000 hours of training and ~8 per 1000 hours of match play. So just like any other sport, padel players are also prone to injury risks, including ankle sprain, wrist sprain, elbow or shoulder injuries.

Tennis Injuries: Tennis is a high-impact sport. Common injuries include shoulder strain, knee issues, and “tennis elbow.” These are often due to the extreme, repetitive forces generated during the overhand serve and powerful groundstrokes, neglecting warm-ups or acute trauma from sudden stops and starts.

8. Age considerations

Tennis and padel welcome players of all ages. From young children to seniors, these racket sports combine fitness, fun, and thrills. However, padel can be considered more inclusive and accessible for all ages, due to its lower physical intensity. The smaller court implies less running and movement, making it well-suited for players of all ages and skill levels.

Growing Trends in India

While tennis is a beloved and established sport in India, padel has recently seen explosive growth, with new courts and players emerging rapidly across the country. The growth has been fueled by new sports facilities and tournament platforms that make it easier for enthusiasts to play and find partners. According to industry reports, metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram are expected to double their number of padel courts in the coming years to accommodate the growing demand.

Conclusion

Padel’s exceptional growth is driven by its ease of learning, strategic team-based gameplay, smaller court, and unique wall rebounds, making it a highly social sport. Padel’s exponential expansion worldwide is constantly challenging other racket sports such as tennis, squash, and badminton. Whether you’re a seasoned tennis player or a complete beginner, padel offers a fast-paced and engaging new challenge. The best way to understand the difference is to participate in a padel event and try it for yourself.