Padel vs. Tennis: What's the Difference?

If you've ever walked past a padel court, you might have thought, "Is this just a smaller version of tennis?" While they share some similarities, padel and tennis are actually quite different in how they're played, the equipment used, and the experience overall.

In this article, we break down the key differences to help you understand why padel is quickly becoming Cairo’s favorite new sport.

Court Size and Structure

Tennis courts are large, open, and typically 23.77 meters long by 8.23 meters wide (for singles).
Padel courts are smaller — just 20 by 10 meters — and completely enclosed with glass and mesh walls that are part of the game.

Padel's smaller size makes the game faster and more dynamic, with shorter distances between players and more use of reflexes.

Equipment: Rackets and Balls

Tennis uses a stringed racket with a long handle and a larger head.
Padel rackets are solid, perforated, and shorter — offering better control but less power.

Padel balls are similar in size to tennis balls but have slightly less pressure, resulting in a slower bounce suited to padel's court and style of play.

Serving Style

In tennis, players serve overhand, often with a lot of power and spin.
Padel serves are underhand, with the ball bounced behind the service line before being hit diagonally into the service box.

This change makes padel more beginner-friendly and easier on the shoulder — especially for players new to racket sports.

Use of Walls

Walls are out of bounds in tennis, but in padel, they’re part of the game.

After the ball bounces, it can rebound off the glass walls, creating new angles and more creative shots. Players can even play off the wall to return a shot — similar to squash.

Style of Play

Tennis emphasizes power, precision, and endurance, especially in singles matches.
Padel, on the other hand, is more about strategy, positioning, and teamwork. Most padel matches are doubles, so communication and tactics are essential.

The rallies in padel are often longer and more strategic, while tennis tends to have faster-paced points with bigger groundstrokes.

Accessibility and Learning Curve

Padel has a shorter learning curve, making it ideal for beginners of all ages. The serve is easier, the court is smaller, and the walls give you more chances to recover.

Tennis usually takes more time to master — especially when it comes to serving and covering the larger court.

Final Thoughts

Tennis and padel each offer a unique experience. Tennis is great for those who love power and precision, while padel is perfect if you’re looking for a fun, social, and strategic game. In Cairo, more players are discovering the charm of padel — and it’s easy to see why.

Interested in trying both? Book a beginner padel session at 88 Padel Academy and see the difference for yourself.