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Score Tracker & Guide
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Padel is played on an enclosed court measuring 20 metres long by 10 metres wide — roughly a third of the size of a tennis court. The court is surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh fencing, all of which are in play. A net divides the court in the centre, and service lines on each half create two service boxes per side.
The walls are an integral and tactical part of the game. The ball may rebound off them and still be played, which creates unique angles and rallies not found in any other racket sport.
Padel is always played as doubles — two players per side, four players in total. Singles padel is not a standard format in competitive play.
Matches are typically played as best of three sets. The first team to win the required number of sets wins the match. Sets and games use the same scoring system as tennis.
The serve must always be underarm — overarm serves are strictly prohibited. The server stands behind the service line within their designated box, bounces the ball, and strikes it at or below waist height. The serve is delivered diagonally into the opponent's service box.
Two attempts are allowed per point (first and second serve). After each game, the serve passes to the opposing team. Within a partnership, players alternate who serves each game.
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis: points progress 15 → 30 → 40 → game. When both teams reach 40, deuce is called (or a golden/silver point rule applies depending on your agreed format).
A set is won by the first team to reach 6 games with at least a 2-game lead (e.g. 6–4 or 7–5). If the set reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is played. The tiebreak is first to 7 points, with a minimum 2-point lead required to win.
The ball may bounce once on the ground before a player must return it. Players may also volley the ball before it bounces. After bouncing on your own side, the ball may travel into and off your own walls — it remains in play and can still be returned.
A team loses the point when any of the following occur:
• The ball bounces twice before being returned.
• A player hits the ball into the net.
• The ball lands out of bounds (outside court lines without hitting a wall on the correct trajectory).
• A player or their racket touches the net during play.
• A player is struck by the ball — their own team loses the point.
• The ball strikes the wire fence or structure on the opponent's side before bouncing on their court.
One of padel's most exciting features: if the ball exits the court through the gate opening at the back, a player may legally leave the court and play the shot from outside. The ball may then be returned back over or around the net. This spectacular play occurs regularly and is entirely within the rules.
A let (replay of the point) is called if the serve clips the net and still lands in the correct service box, if there is an external disturbance, or if any obstruction prevents fair play. There is no limit on the number of lets during a serve.
Long Deuce (classic): When both teams reach 40, deuce is called. The next team to score gains advantage. If that team scores again, they win the game. If they lose the point, it returns to deuce. This repeats indefinitely until one team wins two consecutive points from deuce.
Silver Point: At 40–40, the first team to score gains advantage. If the advantage holder scores the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the game moves immediately to a single sudden-death golden point — whichever team scores that point wins the game.
Golden Point: At 40–40, there is no deuce and no advantage. Whichever team scores the very next point wins the game immediately. This format is used in many professional and recreational competitions for faster, more decisive play.