Zona de servicio
Zona de servicio is the Spanish term for the service area on a padel court - the rectangle bounded by the net, the service line and the side wall. English-speakers usually say service box. The Spanish term appears in Premier Padel commentary and in any Spanish-language coaching, and is helpful to recognise when watching pro padel.
Pronounced: “THO-na deh ser-VEE-thyo (Spain) or SO-na deh ser-VEE-syo (Latin America)” IPA: /ˈθo.na ðe seɾˈβi.θjo/
What is the zona de servicio?
Zona de servicio means service area in Spanish. It refers to the rectangle on each side of the court bounded by the net, the service line and the side wall. The central service line divides each zona de servicio into a deuce box and an advantage box.
When is zona de servicio used?
In Spanish-language coaching and commentary. Argentinian, Spanish, Mexican and Latin American coaches use it as the default. Premier Padel commentary in Spanish uses it. Bilingual coaches in the UK and US sometimes switch to it for variety. UK and US players default to service box or service area.
How zona de servicio is dimensioned
Each zona de servicio measures 6.95 m back from the net to the service line, and 5 m wide (half the 10 m total court width). The central service line splits it into two 3.47 m wide service boxes. These dimensions are set by the FIP 2026 rulebook.
Quick reference: Zona de servicio = service area. 6.95m deep, 5m wide. Spanish equivalent of “service area” or “service box”.
Common misconceptions
Zona de servicio refers to the entire service area on one side of the court, including both deuce and advantage boxes. It is not the same as a single service box - that would be “caja de servicio”. The zona is broader; the box is one half of the zona.
