Racket and Equipment Abuse

Racket and equipment abuse is one of the most visible code violations in padel. Frustration with play sometimes leads players to take it out on their racket or the court — the FIP code of conduct treats this as misconduct regardless of intent.

What Counts as Racket and Equipment Abuse

Racket Abuse

• Throwing the racket — releasing the racket forcefully onto the court, at the wall, or into the net
• Smashing the racket — striking the racket against the court surface, wall, or net in frustration
• Deliberately breaking the racket — any intentional destruction of the racket

Accidentally dropping the racket during normal play (e.g., losing grip mid-shot) is not racket abuse. The key element is deliberate intent.

Equipment and Court Abuse

• Hitting the net post or fixtures with the racket in frustration
• Damaging the court surface — scraping, striking, or marking the surface deliberately
• Breaking or damaging glass panels, metal mesh, or other court enclosure elements

Destroying Personal Equipment

Deliberately destroying any personal equipment (including balls, strings, or accessories) on court is treated the same as racket abuse.

Penalties

Racket and equipment abuse follows the standard code of conduct penalty ladder:

1. First offence: Warning
2. Second offence: Warning + point penalty
3. Third offence: Warning + disqualification from the match

A referee may skip the warning and go directly to a point penalty if the act of racket or equipment abuse is particularly severe. Damaging court infrastructure (glass panels, net posts) may also result in the player being liable for repair costs under the event regulations.

Safety Implications

A thrown racket is a safety hazard to other players, officials, and spectators. If a thrown racket strikes another person, the referee may apply an immediate, escalated penalty beyond the standard first-offence warning.

The mandatory wrist strap (see wrist strap rules) is partly designed to prevent the racket from flying uncontrolled — players who violate the wrist strap rule are at greater risk of causing injury if they lose grip.

Summary

Act	Minimum penalty (first offence)
Throwing racket on court	Warning
Smashing racket against wall or floor	Warning
Deliberately breaking racket	Warning (may escalate)
Damaging court fixtures	Warning (may include repair liability)
Thrown racket strikes a person	Escalated penalty — referee discretion