Net
The padel net runs 10 metres across the centre of the court. It stands 0.88 metres tall at the centre rising to 0.92 metres at the posts, with a FIP-set tolerance of plus or minus 0.005 metres. The net is the same fundamental obstacle as in tennis but slightly lower in the centre.
What are the net dimensions?
The padel net is 10 metres long, matching the court width. The centre height is 0.88 metres (88 cm) and the height at each post is 0.92 metres (92 cm). The slight upward slope from centre to post is consistent across all FIP-sanctioned courts. The FIP rulebook specifies a tolerance of plus or minus half a centimetre on these heights.
When does the net come into play?
Every point - the ball must travel over the net cleanly to land in the opposing court. A ball that hits the net and falls on your side is a lost point. A ball that hits the top of the net and lands in the correct service box on a serve is a let, and the serve is replayed. Lets are played on serves only - in open play, net cord winners are valid.
How it differs from tennis
The padel net is lower than the tennis net at the centre (0.88 m versus tennis’s 0.914 m centre and 1.07 m post). The slightly lower centre and the enclosed court means rallies pass over the net more frequently than in tennis. The net itself is constructed the same way as a tennis net, with a cord through the top tape and a centre strap to set the centre height.
Coach tip: Aim three to five centimetres above the net cord on attacking shots and ten to fifteen centimetres above on defensive shots. Hitting too close to the cord is the most common cause of unforced errors at amateur level. The net is more forgiving than beginners think.
Common mistakes
Two common patterns. First, hitting too low and netting balls that would otherwise be in play. Second, lifting balls too high “to be safe”, which gives the opposing net pair an easy attacking volley. The trick is to find the right margin - low enough that the ball is hard to attack, high enough that it clears the cord consistently.
