Side Wall Configuration
2 min read
Side walls in a padel court are not a simple flat panel — they follow one of two officially recognised variants, each combining solid wall panels and metallic mesh at specific heights. For back wall height and material requirements, see glass wall height. For an overview of all court dimensions, see court dimensions.
The Two Official Variants
All variants are described from the back wall towards the net. Court access points are not included in the measurements below.
Variant 1 (Stepped)
A two-step profile:
- Step 1 (closest to back wall): 3m high solid wall, 2m long — topped with 1m high metal mesh (total 4m)
- Step 2: 2m high solid wall, 2m long — topped with 1m high metal mesh (total 3m)
- Middle section: 3m high metal mesh, 6m long
Variant 2 Crystal
Uses solid panels without a step:
- Glass/solid wall: 3m high, 4m long from back wall — topped with 1m high metal mesh (total 4m)
- Outer end sections: 4m high metal mesh, 2m long (one at each end)
- Middle section: 4m high metal mesh, 6m long
Key Points
- The back wall is always 4m high (3m solid + 1m mesh)
- In Variant 1, the side wall steps down from 4m at the ends to 3m in the center
- In Variant 2 Crystal, the entire side wall is 4m high
- The solid panels must be hard and smooth to ensure uniform ball bounce
- Glass panels must comply with EN 12150-1 (EU) or equivalent safety standard
Court Access Points
Access openings can be placed in one or both lateral sides and must be symmetrical relative to the centre of the court. See court access for full gate dimensions, door requirements, and out-of-court play safety corridor specifications.
- Single access: min 1.05m × 2.00m, max 2.20m × 2.20m (width × height)
- Double access: each opening min 0.72m × 2.00m, max 1.10m × 2.20m
Wall Materials
- Solid sections: hard smooth material (glass, concrete, or similar) ensuring uniform bounce
- Mesh sections: rhomboid or square pattern, hole diagonal 5–7.08cm, wire thickness 2–3mm (max 4mm)
- Logos are permitted — one per wall, must not obstruct players’ vision
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