Interference

Interference in padel refers to any situation where an external event or a player’s action disrupts a point in a way that affects its outcome. The FIP Rules of Padel (Rule 11) specify how interference is handled depending on its source.

Types of Interference

1. External Interference (Let)

If play is interrupted by something outside the control of either team — such as:

• A ball from an adjacent court entering the playing area
• An unexpected loud noise from outside (e.g., a falling object)
• A spectator or third party entering the court

— the referee should call a let (the point is replayed in full, including the serve if the interference occurred during the serve).

Players may also call a let themselves if a foreign ball enters their court during a point. Once a let is called, play stops immediately. The point at which play was interrupted does not count.

2. Deliberate Interference by a Player (Point Lost)

If a player deliberately attempts to distract or hinder an opponent during a point — through:

• Shouting or making noise during the opponent’s shot
• Intentional sudden movement designed to break the opponent’s concentration
• Striking the ball twice deliberately

— the referee awards the point to the opposing team. Deliberate interference is a code violation and may be escalated under the code of conduct penalty system.

3. Unintentional Interference by a Player (Let or Point Lost)

If a player accidentally causes interference — for example, accidentally shouting when surprised — the referee calls a let and the point is replayed.

However, if the same pair commits unintentional interference a second time in the match, the referee penalises them with the loss of the point, awarding it to the opposing team. Repeated unintentional interference is not treated the same as an isolated incident.

Ball Hitting a Player

If the ball in play strikes a player (or their clothing or racket held in the hand) before bouncing on their side:

• If it is the player’s own team member who is struck, the opposing team wins the point — the ball is considered out of play
• Players should not reach across the net to intercept the ball; doing so is a fault

Requests to Stop Play

Players may not stop play themselves except to call a let for external interference. Stopping play to dispute a call or for any other reason without referee authorisation is a code violation.

See also ways to lose a point for the full list of point faults including deliberate interference.

Summary

Cause	Outcome
External interference (ball, object, person)	Let — point replayed
Deliberate player interference	Point awarded to opponents
Accidental player interference (1st time)	Let — point replayed
Accidental player interference (2nd time, same pair)	Point awarded to opponents
Ball strikes a player	Opponents win the point