What is the difference between padel and tennis

Padel and tennis share quite a few similarities, which is logical as padel is derived from tennis. For example, the scoring system is the same, both sports have two halves separated by a net, and you play with rackets and balls. However, there are also crucial differences between the two sports that make them completely different games. But what are these differences between padel and tennis exactly? In this blog, we hope to give you a clear insight into the most important differences.

Playing Padel and Tennis

In terms of gameplay, there are several significant differences between the two sports. It starts with the serve, which is different in padel compared to tennis. In tennis, you serve by tossing the ball in the air and hitting it overhand into the service box. In padel, you must let the ball bounce first, and you can only hit it at waist level or lower. Unlike tennis, the padel serve must be executed underhand.

The most significant gameplay difference between tennis and padel is, of course, the glass walls and fencing. These are not present in tennis, so if the ball lands on your side of the court and you can't reach it, you lose the point. In padel, you still have the option to let the ball bounce off the glass walls and then hit it back over the net before it touches the ground.

Which Type of Racket to Use in Padel and Tennis?

The difference between padel rackets and tennis rackets is quite significant, both in appearance and gameplay. Tennis rackets are generally larger and have a strung surface, while padel rackets have a larger and rounder racket head. This design is influenced by the faster pace of padel due to the smaller court size. Moreover, padel rackets feature a solid surface with holes instead of strings found in tennis rackets. These differences in size, shape, and stringing make padel rackets more suitable for better control and maneuverability on the smaller padel court, while tennis rackets are built for power and performance on the larger tennis court.

Which Type of Ball to Use in Tennis and Padel?

With the naked eye, it's barely noticeable or no difference at all between tennis balls and padel balls. Many people think they are the same and that you can use tennis balls for both sports. Let's immediately debunk this assumption. There is indeed a difference between tennis and padel balls, and you will notice this while playing.

To begin with, a padel ball is smaller in size. A padel ball has a diameter between 6.35 and 6.77 centimeters. A tennis ball is slightly larger, with a diameter between 6.54 and 6.86 centimeters.

The most significant difference lies in how the balls are pressurized. Tennis balls have higher pressure, making them bounce higher and travel faster. A padel ball has lower pressure, resulting in a slightly slower ball. Padel balls are also always gas-filled, which makes them feel softer. Because padel balls are softer, you have more control as the contact between the ball and the racket lasts longer. This makes ball placement a bit easier. Gas-filled balls lose their hardness faster, so we recommend buying new balls when you notice they no longer bounce well. In summary, we can say that there is a definite difference between the two balls, and using the correct ball for each sport is essential for an optimal playing experience.

Which Type of Shoes to Wear in Padel and Tennis?

Just like with the balls, the visual differences between padel shoes and tennis shoes are hardly or barely noticeable to the naked eye. In terms of characteristics, the shoes also share many similarities, and in general, you can use tennis shoes for padel. However, if you're a passionate padel player and spend many hours on the court, it's advisable to get specialized padel shoes.