Open door
The open door is the court access opening, typically positioned on the side of the court near the service line. Balls can exit through it during play, and players can leave through it to chase a ball that has bounced and rolled out. Both behaviours are legal under the FIP 2026 rulebook.
What is the open door in padel?
The open door is the gap on the side of the court where players walk on and off. It usually sits at the service line, sometimes both sides. The door is part of the court boundary but is not a wall - balls can pass through it and players can leave the court through it during a rally.
When does the door affect play?
Two scenarios. First, a ball that bounces inside the court and then exits through the open door stays in play - a player can chase it outside the court and return it. Second, a serve that bounces in the correct service box and then exits through the door is the server’s point - the receiver cannot chase a served ball outside.
How the FIP rule works
The FIP 2026 rulebook is explicit. A player can exit through any opening to chase a ball that has bounced inside their own court. The return must clear the net and land inside the opponent’s court. The serve rule is the exception - served balls exiting through the door go to the server.
Quick reference: Rally ball through the door = chase it. Serve through the door = server’s point.
Common misconceptions
Players can leave the court mid-rally through the open door to chase a ball that has bounced inside their court. This is legal under FIP rules. Many beginners assume leaving the court ends the point - it does not, as long as the ball was first played inside the court.
