7 Differences between Padel and Tennis, You Must Know Before Playing!

Have you ever heard of padel? Recently, the sport of padel has become very popular in various countries, including Indonesia. Many people are curious because padel often appears on social media and is said to be easier to play than tennis.

At first glance, this sport is similar to tennis. They both use rackets, there is a net in the middle, and they play by hitting each other with the ball. However, make no mistake! Even though they look similar, it turns out there are quite a lot of differences between padel and tennis, you know!

If you are curious to try playing it yourself but are still confused about which one is more exciting, don’t worry. Keep scrolling below to find out some of the differences between padel and tennis that you should know before taking to the court. Come on, let’s examine them one by one!

What is Padel?

Imagine you are playing tennis, but the court is surrounded by glass walls, the racket has no strings, and the ball can bounce anywhere. That’s the sport of padel. Padel is a racket sport played on smaller glass-walled courts.

The energy is like tennis, but the strategy is faster and full of reflexes like squash. The best thing is, padel is suitable for all ages. You don’t need to be good to start playing because the rules are simple and the field is not too big.

Difference between Padel and Tennis

When you first see padel, many people think the sport is a smaller version of tennis. However, not really! So, what are the differences between padel and tennis?

1. Field Size

The first difference between padel and tennis is the shape and size of the court. The size of the padel court is smaller, namely around 20 x 10 meters. The most distinctive thing about padel is the glass walls at the back and sides of the court. Now, what makes it exciting is that the ball can actually bounce off this glass wall and it will still be counted as valid.

Meanwhile, the tennis court is much wider, namely around 23.77 x 8.23 ​​meters for singles, or 10.97 meters if playing doubles. In tennis, there are no walls around the court, so a ball that goes out of bounds is considered out. Tennis courts can also be made from various types of surfaces, such as clay, grass, or hard courts.

2. Used Balls

The ball used in padel is similar to a tennis ball, but if you look in more detail, there are differences between padel and tennis in terms of the air pressure in the ball. Padel balls have lower pressure, so their bounce is softer and not as high as tennis balls. So, padel feels more stable and easier to control.

Well, the ball used in tennis has a higher air pressure than a padel ball. This makes the reflection much faster and higher. This is what makes the game of tennis feel more intense. Tennis players must have good reflexes and strong hand strength to be able to control this ball.

3. Rocket

Rackets for playing padel are solid without strings, made from a material similar to fiberglass or carbon, and have many small holes on the surface. This design makes it easier for players to control the direction of the ball without needing a lot of force. In addition, padel rackets are also lighter, suitable for fast play on glass-walled courts.

Unlike padel, tennis rackets have crossed strings and a larger head shape. These strings help players to produce hard shots and the spin effect that is typical in tennis. So, in terms of rackets alone, the differences between padel and tennis are very clear.

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4. Number of Players

The difference between padel and tennis is also in the number of players. Padel is always played in pairs. So a team consists of two people and must understand each other’s positions, maintain communication, and respond quickly. Because the field is also smaller, playing together feels right, not crowded but also not lonely.

When talking about the number of players in tennis, this sport is actually more flexible. Apart from being able to play in pairs, tennis is also very popular in singles format, aka one on one. Singles play in tennis usually emphasizes individual strength, pace and strategy.

5. Game Rules

In terms of rules, the differences between padel and tennis are also quite pronounced. In padel, the game starts with an underhand serve and the ball must first bounce on the ground before crossing the net. What’s even more exciting is that the ball can bounce off the wall as long as it hasn’t touched the floor twice, so the game feels more exciting and less monotonous!

Meanwhile in tennis, the rules feel stricter. The first serve is already an important moment, the player must use full energy to send the ball from above the head. There are no reflections from the walls, so it all depends on accuracy and hand speed. From there, each point turns into a strategy contest over who is the best at controlling the direction of the ball.

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6. Playing Style and Difficulty Level

When I saw how to play it, the differences between padel and tennis were clear, one is faster, one is more tactical. Because the ball can bounce off the wall, players must be alert to read the direction of the bounce and work together with their partner. It’s not enough just to be strong at hitting, but you also have to be smart in managing your position and rhythm so that the ball is not easily taken by your opponent.

Tennis has a different vibe. The game is wider and more open, so more energy is needed to control the direction of the ball. The main focus is on strength, accuracy and stamina. Tennis players often have to be ready to sprint left and right to catch the ball, plus think quickly when to attack or defend.

7. Game Duration

The duration of the game is also one of the points of difference between padel and tennis. Because the court is small and the ball can bounce off the walls, one padel match usually doesn’t take long. Within 45–90 minutes, the game can be finished, but every minute there is an exciting chase for points.

Whereas in tennis, the duration can be much longer. A tennis match can last 1 to 3 hours, even more if the sets are long and the players are very even. The wider field means that each rally (punching contest) requires more energy and time.

These are some of the differences between padel and tennis that you should know before playing. If you like sports that are relaxing but still make your heart race, padel could be an exciting choice. If you are the type who likes to compete with technique and power, tennis is still the winner. So, are you on the padel team or the tennis team?

So, to make exercise safer and more comfortable, don’t forget to prepare your equipment too, OK! Starting from sports socks, knee protectors, to tumblers so you don’t get dehydrated easily. If you often play padel or tennis outdoors, sunglasses are also important to protect yourself from the sun.