Padel vs. Tennis: The 7 Real Differences (and Why Padel is a Hit)
⚡ Comparison • 6 min read
Same family, very different sport. Court, racket, rules, ball, technique: we compare padel and tennis for good. And we explain why padel is growing so fast.
Padel is the fastest growing sport in France since 2020: +30% licensees each year. Many people come from tennis and say "it's like tennis but smaller". Wrong. Here are the 7 real differences that make padel a sport in its own right.
Licensees/year in France
To play a real match
1The court: 4× smaller and surrounded by glass walls
Tennis: 23.77 × 10.97 m, open space. Padel: 20 × 10 m, surrounded by glass walls and fences. Padel is always played in doubles (4 players).
2The racket: solid and perforated
Tennis: strung, 280-320 g, 68 cm. Padel: solid racket with holes, 340-380 g, 45.5 cm max. 3 possible shapes depending on your style.
3The ball: 25% less powerful
Lower internal pressure (4.6-5.8 vs 5.8-7.2 kg/cm² tennis). The ball is slower and bounces less high. This is what makes volleys and long rallies possible — otherwise the glass walls would be unplayable.
4The serve: underhand
Tennis: overhead, downward, powerful. Padel: underhand, ball bouncing on the ground, hit at waist height max. The padel serve is placed, not a weapon.
5The glass walls: the game-changer
In tennis, ball out = point over. In padel: the ball bounces on the ground, can hit the glass wall, can hit the fence, and remains playable until the second bounce. You can even exit the court through the side doors to retrieve it.
6Technique: ease of access
Tennis requires hundreds of hours for a good forehand. Padel: you play a real match from your 3rd session. Shorter racket, slower ball, less amplified strokes = you have fun right away.
7The social aspect
Tennis = often singles. Padel = always doubles, 4 players. More friendly, more social, and you can play even without your usual 3 buddies (you look for a game at the club).
Summary table
| Criterion | Tennis | Padel |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Singles or doubles | Always doubles |
| Racket | Strung, 68cm, 300g | Solid, 45cm, 360g |
| Serve | Overhead | Underhand, ball on ground |
| Glass walls | None | Playable after ground bounce |
| Cardio | Very high | Moderate to high |
| Time to play a match | 3-6 months | 2-3 sessions |
Coming from tennis: 3 tips
Which racket when you come from tennis?
- You were a baseline player in tennis → SOMBRA 12K or AGUA (versatile control)
- You were a serve-and-volley player → PRESTIGE 12K or FUEGO (power + precision)
- You are discovering the sport at the same time → AIRE or ARMONÍA 3K (comfort, progression)
🎯 Quiz: your padel racket according to your tennis profile
Our quiz takes your tennis background into account in the recommendation.
Take the quiz →In summary
Padel is not "poor man's tennis" or "simplified tennis." It is a sport in its own right with its own codes, technique, and specific rackets. It combines the reflex aspect of tennis with a unique tactical dimension (the glass walls) and unbeatable accessibility.
If you want to get started: begin by learning the rules, choose the right racket for beginners, and find a club. After 3 sessions you'll be hooked.