Padel

What is padel? – Padel guide by Vortex

Padel originated in Mexico. A racket sport derived from tennis, it is played on a smaller court, enclosed by glass and wire mesh.

The score is calculated as in tennis. Another similarity is that the balls have the same exterior but with slightly less pressure to prevent excessively fast bounces. While it's a team sport played in doubles according to official rules, some courts are smaller and adapted for singles play.

Its main difference is that balls can be played after bouncing off the glass or the wire mesh . However, the fundamental rule is that the ball must touch the ground before it can be played again after bouncing off one of the walls. Despite this, shots without a bounce, such as volleys at the net or smashes, are common in the game.

The sport adopts the rules of tennis while adding a spectacular touch. Indeed, in Padel, it is possible to exit through the side doors to play a ball that has bounced off the back glass, resulting in magical points.

THE GROUND

The field measures 20 meters long by 10 meters wide, surrounded by fencing and glass on the sides.

A net and two service boxes make up the playing surface (no alley lines, no baseline lines).

A glass back wall topped with wire mesh closes off the court across its entire width.

THE SERVICE

Easier than in tennis, the serve is made from below after the ball bounces on the ground (without hitting the ball higher than waist height). It must be a cross-court shot, always starting from the right and moving to the left (as in tennis).

A serve that touches the net is also considered a fault if it grazes the net and then touches the net after making only one bounce.

However, a serve that hits the glass after the bounce is considered "valid" and the rally can then continue.

Similar to tennis, a ball that hits the net and then bounces twice in the opponent's service box is considered a "let" and therefore allows two more serves.

EXCHANGES

During a rally, after bouncing on the ground, the ball can hit any other surface multiple times (except the ground). Therefore, the door handle, fences, walls… everything is part of the court and can lead to unexpected trajectories.

The second bounce on the ground results in a loss of the point for the receiver. Similarly, a ball that, after its first bounce on the ground, goes out of bounds also results in a loss of the point. A ball that, after bouncing off a wall, returns to the batter's court also scores a point. However, after crossing the net, any ball that first touches any surface other than the ground is a fault for the receiver.

Points are counted like in tennis (15, 30, 40, game, set, match).

WHO IS PADEL FOR?

Padel is intended for:

Ideal for beginners in racket sports , as it's fun and accessible to everyone, quickly providing enjoyment.
to friends and couples looking for a new, "modern and fun" sport. The close proximity of the 4 players on the court makes Padel a very friendly and "fun" sport.
to current and former tennis players , seeking new sensations and challenges
for teenagers and adults, young or old, looking to combine sport, tactics, teamwork, performance and fun
to athletes , motivated by physical, technical, tactical and psychological performance.

At Vortex Padel , we believe that the right equipment makes all the difference. A racket suited to your level and playing style will help you progress quickly, gain comfort, and maximize your enjoyment on the court.

Beginner or experienced? Discover our guide to choosing the right padel racket .

VRTX pro padel racket, designed in Switzerland, produced in Spain