Surface, mesh, lighting and orientation
Courts are cement, synthetic or artificial grass, in green, blue or terracotta, with a bounce that stays even. The mesh is square welded wire, lights hang at least 6 m up, and outdoor courts are best laid out north to south.
The surface
The floor can be cement, a synthetic material or artificial grass, as long as the bounce is regular. One colour covers the whole floor, preferably green, blue or terracotta, clearly different from the walls. The floor must be flat to within 3 mm over a 3 m straight edge; courts without drainage may slope by up to 1% from the middle towards the sides.
The mesh
The metal fence is welded square mesh, with hole diagonals between 5 and 7.08 cm and wire 2 to 3 mm thick, never more than 4 mm. It is tensioned so the ball bounces off it, kept flat and vertical, and every weld is protected so nobody gets cut.
The walls
Walls may be glass, brick or any material with a hard, smooth surface that returns the ball evenly and is safe to brush against. Glass must meet the FIP safety standard. Logos are allowed, one per wall, if they do not distract the players.
Lighting
Light must be even and must not dazzle players, umpires or spectators. Light poles stand outside the court, and lights inside the court hang at least 6 m above the floor, 8 m recommended for new courts. Televised matches need at least 1,000 lux of vertical light.
Orientation
Outdoor courts are best laid out with their length running north to south, allowing a small turn towards north-east or north-west, so neither pair stares into a low sun for long.
Vragen
What surface is a padel court?
Cement, synthetic material or artificial grass, in one colour, usually green, blue or terracotta.
Which way should an outdoor padel court face?
With its length running roughly north to south.