Padel and tennis may look similar, but their rules, equipment, and gameplay differ significantly. Understanding these differences is essential for players and sports enthusiasts.

Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court with walls, while tennis is played on an open court with a net.

Knowing these key distinctions helps players choose the right sport for their interests and skill levels. Let's dive deeper.

How is padel tennis different from tennis?

While padel and tennis share common elements, their rules and playing styles vary significantly.

Padel is played on a smaller enclosed court using a perforated racket¹, whereas tennis is played on a larger open court with a strung racket.

Key Differences Between Padel and Tennis

Feature	Padel	Tennis
Court Size	20m x 10m	23.77m x 8.23m (singles) / 10.97m (doubles)
Walls	Glass & metal mesh2	No walls
Racket	Solid, perforated	Strung racket
Ball	Lower pressure	Standard tennis ball
Serving	Underhand	Overhand
Scoring	Similar to tennis	Standard tennis scoring

Padel's enclosed walls allow for rebounds, making rallies longer and more strategic, while tennis relies on precision and power.

What is the difference between padel and Real tennis³?

Real tennis, also known as "court tennis" or "royal tennis," is a historic sport distinct from modern padel and lawn tennis.

Padel is a modern sport played in an enclosed court with walls, while Real tennis is an ancient game played on asymmetrical courts with complex rules.

Padel vs. Real Tennis

Feature	Padel	Real Tennis
Origin	1969, Mexico	16th century, Europe
Court Shape	Symmetrical	Asymmetrical
Walls	Enclosed with glass	Stone or wooden walls
Racket	Solid, perforated	Wooden, slightly curved
Ball	Similar to tennis	Hand-stitched, firmer

Real tennis courts are rare and primarily found in historic clubs, whereas padel is growing rapidly worldwide.

What is padel called in English?

Padel retains its name in English but is sometimes referred to as paddle tennis⁴ to distinguish it from other racket sports.

Padel is called "padel" in English, but some people mistakenly refer to it as paddle tennis⁴, which is a different sport.

Common Misconceptions

Term	Meaning
Padel	The correct name for the sport played on enclosed courts with glass walls.
Paddle Tennis	A different sport played on a smaller court with no walls, mostly in the U.S.
Platform Tennis	A cold-weather sport played on a raised, heated platform.

Using the correct terminology helps avoid confusion between padel and similar-sounding sports.

Can you play pickleball⁵ on a padel court?

Pickleball and padel have different court sizes and net heights, making adaptation possible but not ideal.

You can play pickleball on a padel court with modifications, but the dimensions and surface are not optimized for pickleball.

Differences Between Padel and Pickleball Courts

Feature	Padel Court	Pickleball Court
Size	20m x 10m	13.41m x 6.1m
Net Height	0.88m (center)	0.86m (center)
Surface	Artificial turf or concrete	Hard court or asphalt
Walls	Enclosed with glass and mesh	No walls

Pickleball can be played on a padel court if temporary lines are marked, but the ball bounce and gameplay experience will differ.

Conclusion

Padel differs from tennis in court size, walls, rackets, and gameplay. It should not be confused with Real tennis or paddle tennis.While pickleball can be played on a padel court, it is not an ideal fit.