Talking about racket sports, many types have emerged with each other's influence with a minor change in their rules and the game structure. Two to three decades ago, badminton or shuttlecock was the only racket sport that we were very much aware of. But now, the scenario has changed. Several racket sports, such as Pickleball, have also emerged with the direction of a huge number of players across the globe. One such term which emerged these days is Padel, a new breed in racket sports.
So, are you interested in knowing more about this Padel? If yes, then let's dive into the blog to explore more.
What is Padel?
Padel, also called Padel Tennis, is a racket sport that emerged in Mexico. It is played on doubles inside a confined tennis court which is quite smaller than that of an average doubles tennis court. The Padel has the same scoring system as that of Tennis, but there is a slight difference in the rules, techniques, strokes, and playing style. The Padel is a team sport played mostly as doubles.
The Padel sport also shares one basic similarity with squash rules, where it has walls. The bats used are solid and stringless, and the game is played off in a similar way to squash. In Padel tennis, the height of the ball served must be below the waist level. Even the sport gained importance when the Padel World Championship was held every second year from the year 1992 in Argentina or Spain.
History of Padel Tennis
The history of Padel Tennis dates back to the 20th century. It was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, by Enrique Corcuera in 1969. He did this by modifying his Squash court to install the elements of platform tennis where initially the walls and the surface were concrete due to which the spectators were unable to watch the game; as time passed and the game developed and flourished, glass walls were replaced with concrete walls and the concrete floor was replaced with artificial turf.
However, the popularity of Padel Tennis soared only during the COVID-19 pandemic as it can be played outdoors and does not involve any physical contact between the players. In the year 2023, the Padel sport was even included in the 2023 European Games. The International Padel Federation (FIP) wants to have 75 national federations or Padel to become an Olympic sport for the 2032 Summer Olympics.
What are the Padel Court's Dimensions and Structure?
As per the Padel Rules, the playing field should be rectangular, 10 metres (32 ft 10 in) wide (back wall) and 20 metres (65 ft 7 in) long (side wall) (with a 0.5% tolerance), enclosed by walls. In the middle of the court, there is a net that divides the court into two, with a maximum height of 88 cm in the centre, rising to 92 centimetres (36 in) at the sides (with a 5-millimetre (1⁄5 in) tolerance). The height between the playing field and an obstacle is 6 metres (19 ft 8 in).
The back walls and service corners are 4m in height, and the side walls are 3m in height. The service lines are placed 3 metres (9 ft 10 in) before the back wall, and there is also a middle line that divides the central rectangle in half. All lines have a 5-centimetre (2 in) width and should be visible.
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Rules of Padel Tennis
The following are the rules of Padel Tennis, which are somewhat similar to those of the other racket sports.
Scoring Rules
The scoring of the Padel Tennis is identical to that of the Tennis, which was in the format of (15-30-40).
The deuce is at 40-40.
The game is set up to the best of 3 sets. Each set has 6 games, and the tie breaks to 7 points at 6-6 in a set.
Serving Rules
The service should be made by standing diagonally behind the service lines, and the returner may stand wherever they like.
The server must first make the ball bounce and then hit it below the waist level, and the server must at least keep one foot on the ground when hitting the serve and the foot must not touch or cross the service line while serving.
The same applies to the returner as well, where the ball must first bounce in the service box before being returned by the person who hits it.
If the ball bounces in the box and hits the wire mesh fencing before crossing the service line, it is considered a fault.
If the ball hits the net and bounces in the box, it is regarded as a let unless it touches the wire mesh fencing before the 2nd bounce.
Playing Rules
The balls must first bounce on the opponent's court before hitting the wall.
Except for the service return, the players can volley instead of letting it bounce.
Players can hit the ball after it has bounced on a mess or a glass to send it back over the net.
Players can also hit their ball against the glass on their side to return the ball. They may not hit the ball against the mesh on their side.
Just like Tennis, the ball may only bounce once on your side, and it may be hit only once.
Frequently Asked Questions about Padel Tennis and Its Rules
In What Cases Does the Player Lose a Point?
A player loses a point if the ball touches them or any other part of their body.
If they touch the net with their body, clothing, or a shovel
A person loses a point if he, together with the other player, hits the ball consecutively.
The player is also out even if he touches the ball more than once with the paddle.
What is the Difference Between Tennis and Padel Tennis?
In Padel Tennis, the paddle allows the players to play off the walls, whereas, in Tennis, you have to move yourself a lot by running on a larger court. However, different types of shuttlecocks and paddles are used in both the Tennis as well as the Padel Tennis.
What is the Origin of Padel?
Padel was invented in 1969 by Mexican Enrique Corcuera which is a blend of both Tennis and squash.
To conclude, Padel Tennis is the fastest-growing sport, which is a blend of elements such as Tennis and squash. The rules of the game have also become easier to understand, which encourages teamwork and has gained immense popularity worldwide. However, the sport is best for both your physical as well as mental health.
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