Singles Padel (One on One)
Also known as: singles padel, padel singles, one on one padel, can you play padel one on one, padel with two players, single padel court, padel 1v1
Yes, you can play padel one on one, but it is a casual format. The FIP rules are written for pairs, so official padel is doubles. Some clubs have narrower single courts built for it. On a normal court, singles is very tiring, so many players use it for practice or agree to simpler house rules.
Padel is built as a doubles game. Rule 3 of the FIP rules places one pair on each side of the net. The serve, return order and scoring all assume four players.
Singles still happens. Some clubs build narrower single courts so one player can cover the width. Dedicated single courts are rare, though. On a full-size court, one player must cover a 10 m wide side with walls behind. That makes long rallies hard work.
If you play one on one on a normal court, agree the rules first. Most players keep the serve, walls and scoring the same. Some agree to serve only into one box or to play to a points target. It is a good way to train wall play, lobs and fitness.
Tips by skill level
With two players, try a half-court crosscourt game. It keeps rallies going and trains your shots.
Use one-on-one sessions to train wall exits and lob depth under fatigue. Those are the skills doubles punishes most.
Example
Jon and Raúl turn up and their partners cancel. They play singles for 30 minutes, then switch to a drill game using only the crosscourt half.
Why it matters
Knowing your options keeps you playing when only two people turn up. It also tells you why tournaments and most clubs stick to doubles.
Common mistakes
- Expecting to enter a singles event at a normal club tournament
- Playing singles at full doubles pace and burning out in ten minutes
- Not agreeing rules for serves and court width before starting
- Using singles only to smash, instead of training walls and lobs
Frequently asked questions
Is there singles in padel?
Yes, as a casual format. Official padel is doubles, but some clubs have single courts, and two players can play on a normal court.
Can two people play padel?
Yes. Two players can play singles, a half-court game or drills. Four players is the normal game.
Sources
Related terms
- Padel Court DimensionsA padel court is 20 m long and 10 m wide inside the walls, with the net across the middle. The net is 0.88 m high in the centre and 0.92 m at the ends. The service lines sit 6.95 m from the net. At each end, a 3 m wall, usually glass, is topped with 1 m of metal mesh, making 4 m in total.
- How Many Players You Need for PadelA normal padel game needs four people: two pairs, one on each side of the net. You can still play with two or three, using singles, drills or a rotating game. To find players, try your club's social sessions, Americanos and matchmaking apps. Most clubs book courts by time slot, and the group usually shares the cost.
- Wall PlayWall play means using the enclosure — letting a ball come off the back or side panel and playing it afterwards — which keeps rallies alive far longer than in tennis and makes positioning matter more than power.
- Americano and MexicanoAn Americano is a social padel format where you change partners every round and every point you win goes into your own total. Each round is played to a set number of points, often 16, 24 or 32, and the player with the highest total at the end wins. A Mexicano works the same way, except that after each round the current standings decide who partners and plays whom.
- Padel Rules for BeginnersPadel is played in pairs on an enclosed court, and scoring follows tennis. Serve underarm after one bounce behind the service line, diagonally into the opposite box. In a rally, your shot must land in the opponents' court before it touches their walls. After that bounce it may come off the walls and still be played.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into practice
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