Padel Serving and Receiving Order
Also known as: padel serving order, padel serve order, order of serve padel, who serves first in padel, padel receiving order, padel service rotation, serving out of turn padel
In padel, players take turns serving whole games. A coin toss decides which pair serves first, and at the start of every set each pair chooses which of its players serves first. Each game starts from the right side, and the server switches sides after every point. On the receiving pair, each player keeps the same side for the whole set.
Before the match, a coin toss decides the first choice. The winning pair may choose to serve or receive first, and the other pair then picks the end. They may instead pick the end and let the other pair decide on serve. They may also ask the opponents to choose first. Both pairs then tell the umpire who serves and who receives first. Pairs change ends after the first, third and every following odd game of each set. FIP allows up to 90 seconds for each change, but there is no rest after the first game of a set.
The serve passes from pair to pair game by game. Within each pair, the two players take turns at their service games in the order they set at the start of the set. That order cannot change until the next set. Every game begins with a serve from the right side of the court, then alternates left and right after each point. In the first game of each set, the receiving pair decides who receives first. That player takes the first return of every game their pair receives, and each receiver keeps the same side until the set ends. On a Golden Point or Star Point, the receiving pair chooses which side receives.
Mistakes are fixed as soon as they are noticed. If the wrong player serves, the correct server takes over and the points already played stand. A single fault served before the error is noticed does not carry over. If the game has already finished, the new order stays for the rest of the set. A serve from the wrong side is corrected at once, and a first-serve fault already made still counts. If the receivers swap sides by mistake, they finish that game as they are and go back to their chosen sides in the next game.
Tips by skill level
Say the server's name and the score before each game. It keeps all four players agreed on who serves next.
Choose your first server for each set on purpose. Some pairs start with the steadier server, or with the player who has the sun or wind at a better angle.
Example
Pair A wins the toss and serves. Laura serves game one for A, then Tom serves game two for B. Laura's partner Marta serves game three, and Tom's partner serves game four. On B's side, Tom takes the first return of every game A serves.
Why it matters
Mix-ups over who serves next are easy to make in a fast doubles match. Knowing the order lets your pair plan who serves first in each set.
Common mistakes
- Letting the same player serve two games in a row for one pair
- Swapping receiving sides partway through a set
- Starting a service game from the left side
- Replaying finished games after spotting a serving error
Frequently asked questions
Who serves first in padel?
A coin toss decides. The winning pair may choose to serve or receive, pick an end, or ask the opponents to choose first. Each pair then decides which of its players serves first in the set.
Do you take turns serving in padel?
Yes. Players serve whole games in turn, alternating between the pairs. Within each pair, partners take turns at their service games in the order chosen at the start of the set.
What happens if the wrong person serves in padel?
The correct server takes over as soon as it is noticed, and the points already played stand. If the game has already ended, the order stays as it is until the end of the set.
Which side do you serve from first in padel?
The right side. Every game starts with a serve from the right half, and the server moves to the other side after each point.
When do you change ends in padel?
After the first, third and every following odd game of each set. In a tiebreak, pairs change ends after every 6 points.
Sources
- International Padel Federation (FIP) Rules of Padel, review of application 01.01.2026 — Rule 2.5 (printed p. 12), Rule 4 (Choice of Sides and Service) and Rule 5 (Changes of Sides, printed p. 13), Rule 6.5 and 6.7–6.9 (printed p. 14) and Rule 8.2–8.4 (receiving order, printed p. 15)
- LTA Padel — Padel rules (players take it in turns to serve for a whole game)
Related terms
- Drive Side vs Revés SideIn padel doubles, each player usually keeps one side of the court. The drive side, or derecha, is the right half as you face the net, and the revés side is the left. With two right-handers, the revés player has the forehand in the middle and often takes more overheads.
- Padel Scoring SystemPadel uses the same point, game, and set structure as tennis. That means 15, 30, 40, game, best of three sets, with a tiebreak at 6 games all. The common difference is how deuce is played. The FIP rules allow advantage scoring, Star Point (two chances at advantage, then a deciding point) or the Golden Point (one deciding point at 40–40).
- Return of Serve PositioningReturn of serve positioning is where the receiver stands before the serve, usually a step or two behind the service line. It balances time to react with control of the return.
- ServeThe padel serve is an underarm delivery. The ball is bounced once and struck at or below waist height into the diagonal service box — making placement and net advancement far more important than pace.
- Golden Ball – Punto de OroThe Golden Ball (Punto de Oro) is a sudden-death deciding point played when a game reaches deuce (40–40). The receiving pair chooses which player will receive the serve.
- Star PointStar Point is a deuce format in the FIP Rules of Padel. At deuce a pair gets two chances to win the game with advantage. If the game reaches deuce a third time, a single deciding point is played, and the receiving pair chooses which side receives it.
Related guides & benchmarks
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