Rule 17: changing the balls

Source: FIP rulebook, revision 01.01.2026.

When are the balls changed in padel?

The organisers of a competition must announce in advance the brand and model of the balls, the number of balls to be used (2 or 3) and the ball-change scheme, if any.

Ball-change schemes

• a) After a set odd number of games. The warm-up counts as two games and the tie-break as one for the purposes of the ball change.
• b) No ball change is made at the start of a tie-break. The change is deferred until the start of the second game of the following set.
• c) At the start of a set.
• d) If the balls are not changed in the correct sequence, the error is corrected when the pair that should have served with the new balls is next due to serve.

Loss or damage to a ball during the match

If a ball is lost or damaged during the match, another must be put into play as soon as possible. Play may not continue with only one ball available:

When the ball was lost	Type of replacement
Within the first 2 games after a change	New ball
After 2 completed games since the change	Used ball of similar wear