Changes of Sides in Padel: When You Switch Ends and Why It Matters

To ensure fairness — particularly on outdoor courts where sun, wind, and surface variation can affect play — the FIP rules (Rule 5) require players to change ends (swap sides of the court) at specified intervals during a match.

When Ends Are Changed

During a Set

• After the first game of each set
• Then after every two games (i.e., when the total games in the set reach 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.)

Exception — No Change When Total Is Even

If the total number of games played at any changeover point is even, players do not change ends at that point. The next change happens two games later as normal.

Example: a set ending 6-4 gives 10 total games (even) — no end change before the next set. A set ending 6-3 gives 9 total games (odd) — players do change ends.

During a Tie-Break

When a tie-break is played, players change ends:

• After every 6 points within the tie-break (i.e., when the total points played reaches 6, 12, 18, etc.)

This is different from game-based end changes and applies throughout both the standard and match tie-break.

The Changeover Rest Interval

At each end change during a match, players are entitled to a 90-second rest interval. Players may sit down, drink, and towel off during this time.

The 90-second interval applies at all changeovers except at the end of a set, where players are allowed 120 seconds before the next set begins.

Players must be ready to play when the rest interval ends. Deliberately extending a changeover is a time-wasting code violation — see timings for the full time limits and tie-break rules for tie-break end-change specifics.

Summary

Situation	Change ends?	Rest interval
After game 1 of a set	Yes	90 seconds
After odd total games (3, 5, 7…)	Yes	90 seconds
After even total games (2, 4, 6…)	No	No break
End of a set	Yes	120 seconds
Tie-break: every 6 points	Yes	20 seconds (standard between-points time; no extra rest)