When you start playing padel, several differences with tennis jump out at you. First of all, the  padel court  is much smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by walls or glass. Then, the  padel racket  stands out for its design: smaller, without strings, and often made with different materials.

But what about the  padel ball  ? At first glance, it seems identical to that of tennis, but in reality, it follows specific regulations. Contrary to what some might think, the padel ball is not simply a marketing product. Let's see together the main differences.

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Tennis vs. Padel
Discovery Tennis vs. Padel What are the differences? Read the article →

Dimensions and weight: Comparison between tennis ball and padel ball

According to  applicable regulations  (2018), the dimensions and weight of tennis and padel balls differ slightly:

  •  Diameter of a tennis ball  : between 6,35 cm and 6,67 cm.
  •  Diameter of a padel ball  : must be between 6,35 cm and 6,77 cm.

Regarding weight:

  •  Weight of a tennis ball  : between 56,2 and 58,5 grams.
  •  Weight of a padel ball  : between 56 and 59,5 grams.

Ball Pressure: A Noticeable Difference

La  internal pressure  padel balls are weaker than tennis balls. This directly influences the speed and dynamics of the game.

  •  Pressure of a padel ball  : between 4,6 and 5,2 kg.
  •  Tennis ball pressure  : around 8,165 kg.

This pressure difference slows down the game of padel slightly, compared to tennis.

Ball bounce: Tennis vs. Padel

Le  ball bounce  also varies between the two sports.

  •  Tennis ball  : the bounce should be between 135 and 145 cm when dropped from a height of 2,54 m onto a hard surface.
  •  padel ball  : the bounce should be between 135 and 147 cm under the same conditions.

Even though  tennis and padel balls  may seem similar, they have very distinct characteristics in terms of  dimensions ,  weight ,  pressure  et  rebound . These differences influence how they react during play, providing a unique experience for each sport.

Comparison of the characteristics of tennis and padel balls
CharacteristicsTennis BallBall of Padel
Diameter6,35 cm - 6,67 cm6,35 cm - 6,77 cm
Weight56,2 g - 58,5 g56 g - 59,5 g
PressureAbout 8,165 kg4,6 kg - 5,2 kg
Rebound135 cm - 145 cm135 cm - 147 cm

The extra elements

Balls used in official competitions must be approved by the Federation
French Tennis. The ball must be of a uniform color, yellow or white. Its diameter must measure between 6,35 and 6,77 cm; and its weight will be between 56 and 59,4 grams.

16 Rules to Know About the Padel Ball

To find out more:

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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