Padel Rules: The complete guide to the rules of padel tennis

Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in Denmark, and a large part of its appeal is that the rules are easy to pick up – but still allow for tactics and technique. In this guide, you'll get an overview of the most important rules, so you can get off to a good start on the court.

How the scoring system in padel works

Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: 15, 30, 40, and game point, and matches are played best of three sets. If the score is 40-40, it's called "deuce," and you need to win two consecutive points to take the game – unless you're playing with "golden points," where the next point decides the game.

A match is typically played as doubles – padel is always played two versus two – making both positioning and communication with your partner a central part of the game.

The serve in padel – the most important rules

The serve in padel must be hit underhand, and the ball must first have bounced on the ground in your own half of the court before you hit it diagonally into the opponent's service box. The ball must hit the court before it potentially hits the back wall – if it hits the wall directly, it's a fault serve.

Rules for using the walls

What truly distinguishes padel from tennis is the walls around the court. After the ball has hit the court on your side, it is allowed to hit your own back wall or side wall before you return it – as long as you return the ball before it bounces twice. However, the ball is not allowed to hit your wall before it has bounced on the court first.

It takes time to learn to use the walls correctly, but it is also what makes padel so tactical and fun to play.

See our in-depth guide to the padel court.

Common mistakes beginners make

• Hitting the serve too hard instead of controlled and underhand
• Forgetting that the ball must have hit the court before the wall is used
• Being incorrectly positioned relative to their partner, leaving too much of the court open
• Trying to hit every ball hard rather than playing strategically with the walls

Ready for the court

Once you have a grasp of the basic rules, the rest is about getting out and playing. Padel is a social and physically demanding sport where you quickly find yourself moving a lot – forwards, backwards, and sideways. Make sure you have padel clothing that can keep up with your movements and keep you dry and comfortable throughout the match.

If you need a good pair of shorts or a t-shirt for the court, we have a selection designed for high freedom of movement. If you're a woman looking for activewear that matches the intensity of padel, you can find inspiration in our women's collection. And if you're transitioning from the court to everyday life, our off-duty wear is an excellent choice after the match.