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The serve bounces in the box, then hits the metal mesh. Good or fault?
On the serve, glass after the bounce is good and mesh after the bounce is a fault.
Your wide serve lands inside the box, then runs on and touches the metal mesh fence on the side. What is the call?
On the serve, glass after the bounce is good and mesh after the bounce is a fault.
Why
Padel treats the two wall surfaces differently on the serve. A serve that bounces in the box and then hits the side glass is perfectly good. It is one of the best serves in the game. A serve that bounces in the box and then touches the metal mesh is a fault. During a rally the distinction disappears and the mesh is in play like everything else, which is why this rule catches out players who know the general wall rules well.
What this means at your level
Beginner
If your wide serve keeps reaching the mesh, it is too wide. Aim to have it touch the glass a metre before the mesh starts.
Intermediate
The best wide serve lands deep in the box and touches the glass low. Get the depth right first and the glass follows.
Advanced
Serve wide into the glass on the deuce side against a returner who is slow off the wall, and to the body when they have started standing wider to cover it.
Common questions
Your wide serve lands inside the box, then runs on and touches the metal mesh fence on the side. What is the call?
Fault: glass after the bounce is fine, mesh is not. On the serve, glass after the bounce is good and mesh after the bounce is a fault. Padel treats the two wall surfaces differently on the serve. A serve that bounces in the box and then hits the side glass is perfectly good. It is one of the best serves in the game. A serve that bounces in the box and then touches the metal mesh is a fault. During a rally the distinction disappears and the mesh is in play like everything else, which is why this rule catches out players who know the general wall rules well.
Why not let: replay the serve?
Lets are for the net cord, not for the fence. This one is simply a fault.
What should a beginner do here?
If your wide serve keeps reaching the mesh, it is too wide. Aim to have it touch the glass a metre before the mesh starts.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Serve wide into the glass on the deuce side against a returner who is slow off the wall, and to the body when they have started standing wider to cover it.
What do the rules say?
A serve that bounces in the service box and then touches the side glass is valid. If it touches the metal mesh after the bounce, it is a fault.
Puzzles like this one
You have served. Where do you go?
In padel you serve in order to get to the net. Serve, then go.
intermediateThey cannot play the side glass. Where do you serve?
Serve at the weakness you have found, not at the space you can see.
beginnerCan you volley the return of serve?
The return of serve must bounce. It is the one ball in padel you are not allowed to volley.