Padel and traditional tennis are the two most popular racket sports in the world. Although they may seem similar at first glance, there are many differences between them. In this article, we will look at the main differences between padel and traditional tennis to help you decide which is right for you.
The size and shape of the court
One of the most significant differences between padel tennis and traditional tennis is the size and shape of the court. A padel court is much smaller than a traditional tennis court, only 10 metres wide and 20 metres long. Furthermore, padel courts are surrounded by walls and have a lower net than a traditional tennis net. These differences make padel a faster and more dynamic game.
Number of players
Another fundamental difference between padel and traditional tennis is the number of players on the court. In traditional tennis, singles and doubles matches are played by one or two players on each side of the court. In padel tennis, only doubles matches are played with two players on each side of the court. This means that padel is a social game that is great to play with friends or family.
The scoring system
Although both padel and traditional tennis use a scoring system, the scoring systems for the two sports are different. In traditional tennis, matches are scored on a 15, 30 and 40 game point system. In padel, matches are scored in the same way as in traditional tennis, but if the score falls into the deuce range, a “sudden death” point is added. In addition, padel matches are played as three-set best matches, whereas traditional tennis matches can be played as three or five-set best matches.
Style of play
The playing style of padel is also very different from traditional tennis. In padel, players hit the ball against the court wall with shorter and more dexterous rackets. This allows for more creative strokes and a more strategic style of play. In addition, because the court is smaller, there is less surface area to cover, making padel a more physically accessible sport than traditional tennis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, padel and traditional tennis are two unique and exciting racquet sports with many differences. Padel is faster, more social and easier than traditional tennis, while traditional tennis is more strategic and physically demanding. The choice between the two sports ultimately depends on your personal preferences and abilities. However, both sports offer a fun and engaging way to stay active and develop your racquet skills.
