Yes. In padel you get two attempts to serve, just like in tennis. If your first serve is a fault, you take a second serve. If that is a fault too, you lose the point. A let, where the ball clips the net and still lands in the correct box, does not count as a fault and is replayed.
How the two-serve rule works
The FIP Rules of Padel say that if the first service is not valid, the server is allowed a second service. Two consecutive faults lose the point. So the rhythm is the same as tennis: first serve, then a second serve if you need it.
What counts as a fault
A serve is a fault if:
- You break any of the serve rules: wrong foot position, touching the service line, not bouncing the ball first, or hitting it above waist height.
- You miss the ball when you try to hit it.
- The ball lands outside the receiver's service box. The lines count as in.
- The ball hits you, your partner or anything either of you is wearing or carrying.
- The ball bounces in the box and then hits the metal fence before its second bounce.
If you are unsure about the foot rules, our guide on whether you can jump when serving covers them.
How lets work
A let is a serve that is replayed without counting as a fault. There are two common cases:
- Net serves. The ball touches the net or posts and then lands in the receiver's box, as long as it does not hit the metal fence before the second bounce.
- Receiver not ready. If you serve before the receiver is ready, the serve is replayed.
If the let happens on your first serve, you replay the point with two serves. If it happens on your second serve, you only replay the second serve.
What if the serve hits the receiver?
If the serve hits one of the receiving players or their racket before it bounces, the point goes to the server. If the serve clips the net and then hits a player, it is treated as a net serve and replayed.
Should your second serve be different?
In tennis, players often hit a big first serve and a safer second serve. In padel the serve is underarm and hit at or below waist height, so the gap between the two is much smaller. Most good players use the same reliable serve every time, and focus on placement:
- Aim deep so the receiver is pushed back towards the glass.
- Target the backhand or the body, which makes an attacking return harder.
- Add a little slice so the ball stays low after it comes off the back glass.
The aim is to get almost every first serve in, then follow it towards the net. Our guide to where to move after you serve explains the next step.
Two related serving questions come up a lot: whether you can lob the serve, and what happens if your serve clips the net post.
The bottom line
You always have two serves in padel. Two faults lose the point, and lets are replayed. Because the serve is underarm, consistency and placement matter far more than power.
Related questions
Does a let count as a fault in padel?
No. A let is replayed. On a first serve you get two serves again; on a second serve you replay only the second serve.
What happens if the serve hits the fence in padel?
If the ball bounces in the receiver's box and then hits the metal fence before its second bounce, the serve is a fault.
What happens if the serve hits my partner?
It is a fault. A serve that hits the server, their partner or anything they are wearing or carrying is not valid.