Key takeaway
Padel and tennis share the same 15–30–40 scoring, but they are different sports. Padel is played on a smaller, fully enclosed court (10m by 20m) where the glass walls are part of the game, it is almost always doubles, the serve is underarm, and the racket is a solid, stringless paddle. Tennis uses a larger open court (23.77m by 10.97m), can be singles or doubles, uses an overhead serve and a strung racket, and the ball is out the moment it leaves the lines. Most beginners find padel quicker to pick up, a big reason it is the fastest-growing racket sport in the UK and Europe.
What is padel?
Padel (pronounced "pa-del", not "paddle") is a racket sport usually played in doubles on an enclosed court about a quarter smaller than a tennis court. The walls, typically tempered glass backed by metal mesh, are in play, so rallies keep going as the ball ricochets off them, a bit like squash. It is easy to learn, hard to master, and intensely social, which is why courts are appearing at clubs and leisure centres across the country.
What is tennis?
Tennis is the long-established racket sport played on an open court with a net, no walls, and a strung racket. It can be played one-on-one (singles) or two-on-two (doubles), rewards power and reach, and has a steeper learning curve for absolute beginners because of the overhead serve and the larger court to cover.
Padel vs tennis: the key differences
1. Court size and walls
A padel court is roughly 25% smaller than a tennis court and is fully enclosed. Back walls are usually 3 metres of tempered glass topped with 1 metre of metal mesh, and the side walls combine glass and mesh. Crucially, the walls are part of play: after the ball bounces once on the floor, you can let it come off the glass and play it back. In tennis there are no walls, the court is bigger and open, and the ball is out the instant it lands beyond the lines.
2. Format: doubles vs singles
Padel is nearly always played as doubles (two against two). Tennis is happily played as either singles or doubles. The smaller padel court plus four players makes for fast exchanges and a sociable game, which is part of its appeal.
3. The serve
This is one of the biggest on-court differences. A padel serve must be underarm: you bounce the ball and strike it below waist height, diagonally into the opponent's service box. Tennis uses a powerful overhead serve. The gentler padel serve is a major reason newcomers can rally within their first session.
4. Scoring
Good news for tennis players: the scoring is the same, 15, 30, 40, game. The common twist in padel is the "golden point": when a game reaches deuce, the next point decides the game, and the receiving team chooses which side to receive from. This keeps padel matches snappy.
5. Rackets and equipment
A tennis racket has strings and an open frame. A padel racket is a solid paddle: no strings, perforated with holes, and made from layers of carbon or fibreglass around a foam core. It is shorter, with a wrist strap for safety. The kit is otherwise familiar: court shoes, comfortable sportswear, and a good grip make all the difference.
Is padel easier than tennis?
For most beginners, yes: padel is generally easier to start. The court is smaller so there is less ground to cover, the underarm serve is simpler, the walls keep rallies alive, and doubles means a partner shares the court. That said, padel has real depth: positioning, wall play, and the smash take time to master. Tennis rewards athleticism and technique and remains hugely rewarding, just with a longer on-ramp.
Can tennis players play padel?
Absolutely. Tennis players bring useful hand-eye coordination and instinctively understand the scoring. The main adjustments are getting used to the walls, switching to an underarm serve, and dialling back raw power in favour of placement and touch. Many players now enjoy both sports, and the gear, from grips to apparel, crosses over neatly.
Which racket sport should you choose?
Choose padel if you want a social, beginner-friendly doubles game that is quick to learn and easy on the joints. Choose tennis if you enjoy singles, want a bigger physical and technical challenge, or already have a club and partners. Plenty of people simply play both, and with the right kit you are ready for either court.
Whatever you pick, the right grip and apparel keep you comfortable and confident. Explore AIXO's printed overgrips, game grip spray and the full collection, built for the colour-clash club across every court.
Frequently asked questions
Is padel the same as tennis?
No. Padel and tennis share the same 15-30-40 scoring but are separate sports. Padel uses a smaller enclosed court with playable glass walls, an underarm serve, a stringless paddle, and is played as doubles.
Is padel easier to learn than tennis?
For most beginners, padel is easier to learn. The smaller court, underarm serve, and doubles format let newcomers enjoy rallies within their first session, while tennis has a steeper learning curve due to its overhead serve and larger court.
What size is a padel court compared to a tennis court?
A padel court is 10m wide by 20m long and fully enclosed, around 25% smaller than a tennis court, which measures 23.77m long by 10.97m wide and is open with no walls.
Can you use a tennis racket for padel?
No. Padel requires a dedicated padel racket, a solid, perforated, stringless paddle with a wrist strap. A strung tennis racket is not legal or practical for padel.
Do tennis players make good padel players?
Often, yes. Tennis players bring strong hand-eye coordination and already know the scoring. They mainly need to learn wall play, the underarm serve, and to favour placement over power.