Padel rules: Interruptions

Lets: broken balls, stray balls and interruptions

A let stops the point and replays it, serve and all, when something outside the players' control gets in the way: a ball from the next court, a split ball, something blowing onto the court. Call it straight away.

Hindrance and interference

Putting off an opponent while they play the ball loses the point if it is deliberate, and replays it if it is an accident. A second accident by the same pair loses the point.

Calling a let too late

A let has to be claimed the moment it happens. If you play on and ask afterwards, you have lost the right to it, and if the umpire decides a let you asked for is not justified, you lose the point.

A ball is lost or damaged during the match

Replace it as soon as possible: play does not carry on with only one ball. In competitions the umpire supplies a ball of the same type, new if the balls were changed less than two games ago, and one with similar wear after that.

A spectator walks on or shouts during a point

Anything that is not part of the game coming onto the court, a person included, means the point is replayed. A noise from the crowd is not covered by name in the rules, so it is the umpire's call, or yours together in a social game.

The net drops or a light goes out during a point

An unexpected interruption that has nothing to do with the players, such as the net cable slipping or a light failing, means the point is replayed. Stop and say so straight away.

Your partner gets in your way

No let. The interference rule is about putting off an opponent, so a collision or a block by your own partner is just part of the rally. If both of you touch the ball, you lose the point.

A player slips or falls during a point

A fall is not a let. Lets are for interruptions that have nothing to do with the players, so the rally goes on. After the point, an umpire may allow a short time to recover.