PADEL RULES
Court Access — Gates and Doors
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The padel court enclosure must include access openings that allow players to enter, exit, and — where permitted — chase balls out of court. The FIP rules specify exactly where these openings must be located and their permitted dimensions. See court dimensions for overall court layout and out-of-court play for the rules on when players may legally exit through these gates during a rally.
Location — Side Walls, Not End Walls
Access openings are placed in the lateral (side) walls, not the back (end) walls. They must be placed symmetrically with the centre of the court on either or both sides. There may be one or two access openings per side.
Dimensions
| Configuration | Min. opening (w × h) | Max. opening (w × h) |
|---|---|---|
| Single access per side | 1.05 m × 2.00 m | 2.20 m × 2.20 m |
| Double access per side (each) | 0.72 m × 2.00 m | 1.10 m × 2.20 m |
Doors and Handles
Access openings may have a door or be left open. When a door is installed:
- Handles must be placed on the outside and must not protrude on the inside of the court
Where no door is installed, a beam or duct on the floor at the access area reinforces the structure and is considered part of the fence frame. Where no floor element exists, the vertical projection of the fence frame marks the internal court edge.
For public installations, access must comply with applicable standards for disabled access and architectural barriers.
Out-of-Court Play Safety Zone
For out-of-court play to be authorised, each side of the court must have 2 access points and an unobstructed safety corridor outside each:
- Minimum 3 metres wide (4 metres recommended)
- 4 metres long
- 3 metres high
The access structure must be padded on three sides (both lateral sides and the top, plus the net post) with shock-absorbing material of at least 2 cm thickness, securely fastened.
