Padel vs tennis: what is the difference?

Padel is sometimes called "padel tennis", and several Australian padel venues sit inside tennis clubs, such as Reabold Tennis Club in Perth and Melville Palmyra Tennis Club. So it is no surprise that "padel vs tennis" is one of the most searched padel questions.

Padel vs tennis at a glance

Padel figures are from the International Padel Federation (FIP) rules, tennis figures from the ITF Rules of Tennis 2026, and the ball and racket comparisons from the LTA and Babolat.

Is a padel court smaller than a tennis court?

Yes. A padel court's playing area is 20 m by 10 m. A tennis court is 23.77 m long, and 10.97 m wide for doubles. The bigger difference is the space around it. Tennis needs room behind and beside the lines for players to run, and the ITF recommends extra run-back and side space. Padel is enclosed by its walls, and players play the ball off them rather than chasing it into open space. See padel court dimensions.

How is the padel serve different?

In tennis you usually serve overarm, hitting the ball from as high as you can reach. In padel the serve is underarm. You bounce the ball first, then hit it at or below waist height, diagonally into the service box. The LTA puts it simply: "you would always start off with an underarm serve that must be hit after one bounce." See my padel serve guide.

That one difference changes the whole game. In tennis, a big serve can win points on its own. In padel the serve is mainly a way to start the rally.

How do the walls change the game?

In padel, once the ball has bounced on your side, it can hit the glass and you can still play it. A ball that would be a clean winner in tennis often comes back off the back wall. You can also play the ball into your own glass so it rebounds over the net.

The LTA says that for tennis players, "the biggest challenge at first will be getting used to using the back glass." My guide to playing off the walls covers the rules and technique.

Is padel scoring the same as tennis?

Mostly. The LTA says both sports are scored in the same way, most commonly by sets and games. Padel uses 15, 30, 40, game, six-game sets and tie-breaks, like tennis. The differences are in deuce formats: padel rules include the "golden point" and, from 2026, the "Star Point" option. See padel scoring.

How is a padel racket different from a tennis racket?

• No strings. The LTA notes that "tennis rackets have a frame with strings while a padel racket is perforated with a pattern of holes".
• Shorter. A padel racket can be no longer than 45.5 cm under FIP rules. Babolat puts a typical tennis racquet at around 68 cm.
• Heavier for its size. The LTA says padel rackets usually weigh 340 to 390 g. Babolat puts tennis racquets at 250 to 340 g.
• Wrist cord. Compulsory in padel.

The shorter, solid racket is a big reason padel is easier for beginners: there are no strings to mishit off the frame, and the sweet spot is close to your hand.

Are padel balls the same as tennis balls?

No. The LTA says a padel ball "is slightly less pressurised so it doesn't bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball", and gives 11 psi for a new padel ball against 14 psi for a new tennis ball. Padel balls are also slightly smaller. See padel balls vs tennis balls.

Can you play padel in tennis shoes?

You can, but the right tennis shoe matters. The LTA says padel and tennis shoes "are designed for similar court movements, but the best sole depends on the playing surface", and that "clay court tennis shoes are often the closest tennis alternative". See padel shoes.

Is padel easier than tennis?

For most beginners, padel is quicker to enjoy. The underarm serve removes the hardest skill in tennis, the court is smaller, the racket is shorter and solid, and the walls keep rallies going. Many people are rallying in their first padel session.

Padel still takes time to play well. The back glass, the overheads and the doubles positioning are skills of their own. Tennis players have a head start with their hand-eye coordination and volleys, and the LTA says "the shots, scoring and movement will feel familiar".

Is padel more or less of a workout than tennis?

They are different workouts. The LTA describes padel as focusing "more on short and sharp racket movements, while tennis uses bigger swings to generate more power". Padel involves quick changes of direction on a small court. Tennis singles in particular involves more running over longer distances. How hard either one feels depends on your level and how competitive the game is.

Can tennis players switch to padel?

Easily, and many do. Your volleys, footwork and reading of the ball all carry over. The three adjustments are:

1. Shorten your swing. Big tennis swings send the ball into the opponents' back glass on the full, which loses the point.
2. Let the ball come off the glass. Do not chase everything before the wall.
3. Lob more. In padel the lob is a key attacking and defensive shot.

Should I play padel or tennis?

Play both if you can. Padel is easier to start, always social, and very quick to get a good game. Tennis offers singles, more courts across Australia, and a long competitive pathway. If you want to try padel, start with my beginner's guide and find a court in where to play.