The French Tennis Federation has set out 16 points that referees must follow in the context of a competition concerning the ball of padel.

To be approved, what types of technical specifications must the balls meet?

Specificities of diameter, pressure, weight and color.

Are multicolored balls approved?

No.

What color must the balls be for them to be approved?

Uniform color, yellow or white.

What is the minimum number of balls to provide for each game?

3 balls.

Can a player start a point with a single ball?

No.

Note: in the event of a faulty first service, the server must obtain another ball without delay so as not to interrupt the game between two services.

Is it mandatory to provide new balls for each game?

No. Consult the latest competition guide, new balls are mandatory at the start of the tournament and/or from a certain level of advancement in the tournament.

Can the balls be changed (replaced with new balls) during the game?

Yes, but it is only mandatory if the rules of the event provide for it.

What rules regarding the frequency of ball changes can be applied during a game?

Change of balls after an odd number of games. Change of balls at the start of an innings.

In each case, the warm-up counts as two games and a tiebreak counts as one game.

Can balls be changed before a tie-break?

No. The same applies before a super tiebreaker or before an innings taking the form of a super tiebreak.

The balls were not changed at the start of the last inning as planned. Decision ?

We will change the balls the next time the pair that should have benefited from new balls is in service.

At the first point of a game that corresponds to a change of balls, after a first serve that hits the net and then bounces twice in the correct service “square” (or once then hits the glass), the players surrender realize that the change of balls has been forgotten. Decision ?

The Referee announces a let and immediately changes balls.

At the first point of a game which corresponds to a change of balls, after a first service which touches the net, falls in the correct service “square” and then touches the grid, the players realize that the change of balls has been forget. Decision ?

We will change the balls the next time the pair that should have benefited from new balls is in service.

What is the rule to apply in case of loss of one or more balls?

If a ball is lost, broken or sufficiently deteriorated and differs from the other balls, the Referee will ensure that this ball is replaced by another ball in a condition similar to those in play.

After an exchange, the players realize that the ball used is not of the same brand as the others. Decision ?

The points played remain acquired. The ball is replaced by a ball of the same brand and the same wear.

A ball bursts or bursts during a rally. Decision ?

The point is replayed, the ball is replaced by a ball of the same wear.

At the end of a point a player notices that the ball used lacks pressure by relation to others. Decision ?

The points played remain acquired. The ball is replaced by a ball of the same wear.

During the rally, a player stops the point by catching the ball with his hand, saying that it is punctured. The Referee judges that the ball is deflated. Decision ?

The player's pair loses the point. The point is to be replayed only when the ball is punctured (or sufficiently deteriorated) and not simply deflated.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.

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