Padel vs Tennis: What are the Key Differences?

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What is padel and how is it different from tennis?

If you're a fan of racquet sports, you may have heard of padel. This sport, which originated in Mexico in the 1960s, has been gaining popularity around the world in recent years. But what exactly is padel, and how is it different from other racquet sports like tennis? In this post, we'll explore the answers to those questions.

What is Padel?

Padel is a racquet sport played on a court that is smaller than a tennis court but larger than a squash court. The court is surrounded by walls, which players can use to keep the ball in play. The racket used in padel is also smaller than that used in tennis, and the balls are similar to tennis balls but slightly softer.

How is Padel Different from Tennis?

While padel and tennis share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two sports. Here are a few of the most notable differences:

• Court Size: Padel courts are smaller than tennis courts, measuring 20m x 10m, while tennis courts are 23.77m x 8.23m. This makes padel a great option for players who don't have access to a full-sized tennis court.
• Wall Play: In padel, players can use the walls to keep the ball in play. This makes for longer rallies and more strategic gameplay. In tennis, the ball can only bounce once on each side of the court before a player must hit it back over the net.
• Scoring System: Padel uses a similar scoring system to tennis, but with a few differences. For example, padel games are usually played to 2 sets of 6 games each, with a tie-breaker if necessary. In padel, the serve must also be underhand, while in tennis the serve can be overhand or underhand.
• Serving: In padel, the serve is underhanded and must be hit below waist level. The server must stand behind the service line and hit the ball diagonally into the opponent's service box. The serve must also bounce once before the opponent can return it.
• Rackets and balls: Padel rackets are smaller than tennis rackets and have a different shape. Padel balls are also different, as they are softer and have less pressure than tennis balls. This makes them easier to control and more forgiving when hitting the ball.
• Playing surface: Padel is typically played on an artificial grass or acrylic surface, while tennis is played on a variety of surfaces including grass, clay, and hardcourt. The surface of the court can affect the speed and bounce of the ball, which can change the strategy and tactics used in each game.

Padel in Australia

Padel is a relatively new sport in Australia, but it is quickly gaining popularity. The first padel court in Australia was opened in Melbourne in 2018, and since then, several more courts have been built in other cities, including Sydney and Brisbane.

The Australian Padel Tour, which was launched in 2021, is a national tournament series that brings together padel players from around the country. The tournament has several events throughout the year, with players competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. The winners of each event earn ranking points and prize money.

The popularity of padel in Australia is likely due to the fact that it is an accessible sport that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. Padel courts are smaller than tennis courts, which means they can be built in smaller spaces, and the sport is easy to learn, even for beginners.

In addition to the Australian Padel Tour, there are also several clubs and organizations that offer padel lessons and leagues for players of all levels. These clubs are a great way to meet other padel enthusiasts and improve your skills on the court.

In conclusion, padel is a fun and exciting racquet sport that is growing in popularity around the world, including in Australia. While it shares some similarities with tennis and squash, padel has its own unique features that make it a great option for players of all ages and skill levels. If you're looking to try something new and exciting, consider giving padel a try!

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