A padel match is a competitive game played between two teams of two. Match formats vary, so it helps to understand the rules, scoring and structure before you step on court.
Each match is contested between two players or, in standard padel, two teams of two.
The match format can vary, including options like best-of-three sets, single elimination or round robin.
Players should know the match format before play begins.
The match format can shape player strategy and preparation.
Match format
The match format depends on the tournament or league rules, so it's important to know which one you're playing.
Best-of-three sets: the first team to win two sets wins the match.
Single elimination: a team is knocked out of the tournament after losing a match.
Round robin: every team plays every other team, and the team with the most wins is declared the winner.
Scoring in a padel match
Padel scoring uses the same numbers as tennis, with points won on each rally — plus padel's own Golden Point at deuce.
Points are scored 15, 30, 40 and game; at 40–40 (deuce) some events play a single deciding Golden Point.
A game is won when a team reaches four points with a two-point lead.
A set is won when a team reaches six games with a two-game lead; at 6–6 a tiebreak to 7 points is played.
Padel match rules
Padel shares much of its rulebook with tennis but adds the walls and an underhand serve that make it unique.
The serve is hit underarm at or below waist height, bounced once inside the server's own service box, and sent diagonally into the opponent's service box.
The receiver must let the serve bounce before returning it, and every shot must bounce on the floor before it can hit a wall.
Players can use their own glass and mesh walls to keep the ball in play, but a ball that hits the opponent's wall before bouncing on their floor loses the point.
