Many players struggle to understand the differences between padel and tennis. While both sports involve rackets and a net, they have distinct rules, courts, and gameplay styles.

Padel differs from tennis¹ in court size, rules, and racket type. Padel courts are enclosed, and players use solid, perforated rackets. The game emphasizes strategy and teamwork over raw power.

Understanding these differences helps players choose the sport that suits them best. Let’s explore how padel compares to tennis.

Is padel easier to play than tennis?

Beginners often wonder if padel is less challenging than tennis. The shorter learning curve makes padel appealing, but both sports require skill and practice.

Padel is generally easier to learn² than tennis due to its smaller court, underhand serve, and use of walls, which keep the ball in play longer.

Comparing Difficulty Levels

Factor	Padel	Tennis
Court Size	Smaller, enclosed walls	Larger, open court
Serve	Underhand, easier to return	Overhand, requires technique
Rallies	Longer, ball stays in play	Shorter, ball goes out more often
Equipment	Solid, perforated racket	Stringed racket, more spin potential
Physical Demand	Lower impact, less running	High impact, more sprinting

Padel’s enclosed court and underhand serve make it easier for beginners, while tennis requires more technical skills and power.

What makes padel different from tennis?

Padel may look similar to tennis at first glance, but several key differences set it apart.

Padel is played on a smaller enclosed court, allows rebounds off walls, and uses a perforated solid racket³, while tennis is played on an open court with a stringed racket.

Key Differences Between Padel and Tennis

Feature	Padel	Tennis
Court Size	20m x 10m, enclosed walls	23.77m x 8.23m, open space
Net Height	88 cm at center	91.4 cm at center
Racket	Solid, perforated	Stringed
Ball	Slightly less pressure	Higher pressure, bounces more
Serve	Underhand	Overhand
Gameplay	Uses walls, long rallies	Faster pace, no walls

The use of walls in padel creates a more strategic game, while tennis relies on powerful shots and precise ball placement.

What is the difference between padel and real tennis?

Real tennis, also known as "court tennis," is an ancient sport that shares similarities with modern tennis and padel.

Padel is a modern racket sport with enclosed walls and a solid racket, while real tennis⁴ is an older game played in indoor courts with asymmetrical walls and complex scoring rules.

Padel vs. Real Tennis

Feature	Padel	Real Tennis
Court Type	Standardized, enclosed	Asymmetrical, indoor
Racket	Solid, perforated	Wooden, with curved handle
Scoring	Similar to tennis (15-30-40)	Unique, complex scoring
Gameplay	Fast-paced, rebound shots	Strategic, varied ball movement
Popularity	Growing worldwide	Niche sport, few courts exist

Real tennis has a rich history but is much less common than padel, which continues to expand globally.

What is padel called in America?

Padel is gaining popularity in the U.S., but some confusion exists regarding its name.

Padel is commonly called "padel tennis"⁵ in America to differentiate it from platform tennis, a winter sport played on raised courts.

Padel vs. Other U.S. Racket Sports

Sport	Court Type	Key Differences from Padel
Padel	Enclosed, glass & mesh walls	Uses walls, underhand serve
Platform Tennis	Elevated court, wire fencing	Played in cold weather, smaller court
Pickleball	Open court, low net	Plastic ball, slower pace

The growing interest in padel has led to more courts being built across the U.S., helping differentiate it from similar sports.

Conclusion

Padel and tennis have distinct differences in rules, equipment, and gameplay. Padel is easier to learn, uses walls, and has a smaller court. It also differs from real tennis, an older indoor game. In America, padel is sometimes called "padel tennis" to avoid confusion with other racket sports.