Padel And Tennis: Differences & Similarities
Padel and tennis are two of the most exciting racket sports in the world. Both offer fast-paced action, strategic play, and a great workout. But while they may seem similar at first, they have key differences that set them apart.
Tennis has been around for centuries and is played in singles and doubles formats. It requires speed, power, and endurance to cover the large court. On the other hand, padel is a newer sport that’s growing rapidly, especially in Europe and Latin America. It’s played mostly in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court with walls that add a new layer of strategy.
If you're wondering about the difference between padel and tennis, this guide breaks down everything from court size, rackets, and gameplay to difficulty level and strategy. Whether you're a tennis lover curious about padel or a beginner choosing between the two, this comparison will help.
Court & Playing Surface Differences
The court is one of the biggest differences between padel and tennis. The size, surface, and structure of the court affect how each game is played.
Tennis Court: Bigger Space, More Movement
A tennis court is much larger. It measures 23.77m x 8.23m for singles and 10.97m wide for doubles. This open space means players need speed, endurance, and powerful strokes to cover the court effectively.
Tennis is played on different surfaces, including:
Grass – Fast gameplay, lower bounce.
Clay – Slower gameplay, higher bounce.
Hard Court – Balanced speed and bounce.
Each surface changes how the ball moves, so players must adjust their technique based on where they play.
Padel Court: Smaller, Enclosed, More Strategy
A padel court is smaller, measuring 20m x 10m, and is enclosed with glass walls and mesh fencing. The walls are part of the game, meaning players can bounce the ball off them to extend rallies.
Padel courts usually have a synthetic turf surface, which slows the ball down. This allows for longer rallies and more strategic play. Unlike tennis, players don’t rely on powerful shots but instead focus on positioning, angles, and teamwork.
How Court Size Affects Gameplay
Tennis courts demand more movement and endurance. Players need strong footwork and stamina.
Padel courts encourage strategy and quick reflexes. The walls add a unique tactical element, making shot placement more important than power.
Whether you prefer the intensity of a large tennis court or the strategic play of a padel court, understanding these differences helps you choose the right sport for you.
Padel vs Tennis Racket & Ball: Key Equipment Differences
The racket and ball in padel and tennis are very different. These differences impact how the game is played, from shot power to ball movement. Let’s break it down.
Racket Differences: Power vs Control
Tennis Racket: Designed for Power & Spin
A tennis racket is longer and has a larger head. It features strings that allow players to generate powerful shots, topspin, and slice. Tennis rackets are built for speed, precision, and aggressive play. The added length also helps with reach, making it easier to cover a large court.
Longer handle for better grip and reach.
A strung face creates spin and power.
Heavier than a padel racket to add force to shots.
With the right technique, a tennis player can hit high-speed serves, deep baseline shots, and spin-heavy strokes that challenge opponents.
Padel Racket: Built for Control & Reflex Play
A padel racket is much smaller and has no strings. Instead, it has a solid face with perforations (holes) to reduce air resistance. This design makes the racket easier to control but limits power.
Shorter handle for quick movements.
Solid face for better control.
Lighter weight for fast reflex shots.
Since padel is played in an enclosed court, players don’t need extreme power. Instead, they focus on precision, using the walls strategically to keep rallies going.
Ball Differences: Bounce & Speed
Tennis Ball: Faster & Bouncier
A tennis ball is designed for high-speed play. It has higher internal pressure, which makes it bounce more and travel faster. This suits the larger tennis court, where players need to cover a lot of ground.
More bounce, making rallies faster.
Harder to control, requiring precise strokes.
Suited for long-distance shots.
The speed and bounce of a tennis ball make the game more physically demanding, requiring strong serves and powerful baseline shots.
Padel Ball: Lower Bounce for Strategic Play
A padel ball looks similar to a tennis ball but has lower internal pressure. This makes it bounce less and move slower, which works well in a smaller, enclosed court.
Less bounce, keeping the ball in play longer.
Slower movement, encouraging strategy over power.
Works well with the padel court’s walls.
This means padel is more about placement and quick reflexes, rather than sheer power. The lower bounce allows players to use the walls to extend rallies, adding a new layer of strategy.
How Equipment Affects Gameplay
Tennis rackets and balls create a fast, power-driven game with aggressive strokes.
Padel rackets and balls encourage controlled, strategic play with walls in play.
Understanding these differences helps players choose the right sport based on their style. Whether they prefer powerful baseline rallies or tactical, fast-paced exchanges.
Padel vs Tennis Rules & Scoring
Padel and tennis have many similarities in their scoring system, but their rules, serves, and gameplay strategies differ significantly. Understanding these differences can help you switch between the two sports with ease.
Scoring System
Both padel and tennis use the 15-30-40-game scoring system. The first player or team to win six games with a two-game lead wins the set. Most matches are played as best of three sets, though professional men’s tennis sometimes uses a best of five sets format.
Key Differences in Scoring
Tennis Deuce Rule: If the score reaches 40-40 (deuce), a player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
Padel Deuce Rule: Some padel tournaments play with the same rule, but others use the "Golden Point" rule, where the next point after deuce wins the game, making the game faster and more intense.
Serve Rules
The serve is one of the biggest differences between padel and tennis.
Tennis Serve: Fast & Powerful
The serve is hit overhand, allowing for powerful aces and topspin serves.
Players can hit serves at speeds over 200 km/h in professional tennis.
You get two serves per point. If both are faults, it's a double fault, and the opponent wins the point.
Tennis serve plays a crucial role in controlling the match. A strong server can dominate by hitting unreturnable shots.
Padel Serve: Underhand & Strategic
The serve is always underhand and must be hit below waist height.
The ball must bounce once before being hit diagonally into the opponent’s service box.
You also get two serves per point, similar to tennis.
Padel’s underhand serve makes the game more accessible to beginners and ensures longer rallies. Since there are walls in play, power serves aren’t as effective as in tennis.
Gameplay & Strategy Differences
Tennis points are often shorter because powerful serves and baseline shots decide rallies quickly. Players focus on hitting winners and using angles to outplay their opponents.
Padel points last longer since the walls keep the ball in play. Players focus on placement, patience, and teamwork rather than raw power.
Gameplay & Strategy Differences
Tennis and padel have completely different playing styles. Tennis is all about power, speed, and precision, while padel focuses on control, teamwork, and smart shot placement.
Shot Techniques
Tennis: Players use topspin forehands and backhands to generate powerful shots. The game relies on hard-hitting groundstrokes, fast serves, and aggressive net play.
Padel: Instead of power, padel focuses on controlled volleys, precise lobs, and angle shots. The goal is to outmaneuver the opponent rather than overpower them.
Use of Walls in Padel
A major difference between padel and tennis is the use of walls. In tennis, the ball must stay within the lines. In padel, players can bounce the ball off glass walls, leading to longer rallies and strategic shot-making. This makes defensive play more important in padel.
Singles vs Doubles Play
Tennis: Played in singles or doubles, allowing for different play styles.
Padel: Almost always played in doubles, making team coordination and positioning essential for winning points.
Popularity
Tennis has been a globally dominant sport for over a century, with prestigious tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open drawing millions of viewers. The ATP and WTA Tours feature top players competing throughout the year, making tennis one of the most recognized and followed sports worldwide.
Padel, though newer, is growing at an incredible pace, especially in Europe and Latin America. The World Padel Tour (WPT) is the leading professional circuit, attracting elite players. Other major events like Premier Padel and the European Padel Championships are helping the sport gain more recognition.
While tennis remains the most popular sport globally, padel is expanding rapidly, with new courts opening worldwide. Its accessibility and fast-paced gameplay make it appealing to both casual players and professionals. Although it may not yet rival tennis in prestige, padel’s rise suggests a promising future.
Final Thoughts
Both padel and tennis offer unique challenges and excitement. If you enjoy powerful serves, long rallies, and a test of endurance, tennis might be your game. If you prefer a faster-paced, strategic sport with easier accessibility, padel could be the perfect fit. But why choose just one? Trying both can help you discover which suits your style best.
Have you played both padel and tennis? Which one do you prefer? Share your thoughts! If you're unsure which sport fits you best, come to Athletic Kings and experience both under expert guidance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, our team will help you find the perfect match!
