How many balls, and when they are changed
Organisers announce the ball, whether two or three are used and any change policy before the event. A lost or damaged ball is replaced straight away, because play never carries on with only one ball.
Announced in advance
Before a competition the organisers must say which brand and type of ball is used, whether each match has two or three balls, and whether the balls are changed during a match.
When balls are changed
There are two ways. The balls change either after a set odd number of games, with the warm-up counting as two games and a tie-break as one, or at the start of a set. Balls are never changed at the start of a tie-break: that change waits until the start of the second game of the next set.
A missed change
If a change is missed, it is made when the pair who should have served with the new balls is next due to serve. After that, changes follow the original plan.
Lost or damaged balls
A lost or damaged ball is replaced as soon as possible with one of the same type, handed over by the umpire. If it goes in the first two games after a change, a new ball replaces it; after that, a used ball of similar wear.
Vragen
How many balls are used in a padel match?
Two or three, as the organiser announces before the competition.
Can you play on with one ball in padel?
No. A lost or damaged ball is replaced as soon as possible, and play does not continue with only one ball.