Just over 34 years ago, those in charge of the game of squash took a decision that changed the sport for the better.
Squash players had the luxury of a second serve for decades, having adopted the concept from the rules of lawn tennis. But in May 1989, the Rules of Squash were altered and only one serve was permitted. Serve out, and you lost the point.
This rule change was based on the acceptance that the serve in squash is far less difficult than in tennis and more about getting an enjoyable rally started – so giving the server two opportunities to do so was unnecessary.
Two chances meant a better serve, which tended to force a weaker return and reduced the length of rallies. There was some initial grumbling after the change, but it was soon clear that having just one serve made the game a little bit more enjoyable.
Might it be time to accept that the same applies to padel?
Like squash, the concept of offering two opportunities to serve in padel comes originally from tennis. But, to state the obvious, serving in tennis is very much more difficult than in padel.
Getting the ball over a 1.06m high net and into a landing target of 6.4m x 4.11m which is 11.88m away, using an overarm action, is infuriatingly hard – and is arguably one of the main reasons why beginners are put off the sport. So giving players two opportunities to achieve it makes sense.
For the accomplished player, the first serve in tennis is also a very important tactical tool. It’s an opportunity to win the point outright using a combination of power and accuracy, or at least force a weak return that will give you the upper hand in the ensuing rally.
That crucial attacking ‘free hit’ is only afforded to the server because they have the luxury of a second serve to fall back on if they get it wrong.
In padel, as oficinados will know, the server stands just 6.95m from the net – almost half the distance of tennis – but serves into a target which is actually larger than the landing target on a tennis court! What’s more, they can – in fact, must – serve underarm. Oh, and did we mention that the net is slightly lower too? Serving in padel is a piece of cake.
As in squash, the padel serve is less about having an obvious opportunity to win a point and more about starting the next rally. Yes, a good, sliced padel serve can tuck your opponent awkwardly into the back corner, but one could argue that, if players on either side of the net are of equally decent ability, even a very good serve should usually be returned.
At recreational level, the serve is merely a vehicle for kickstarting what we all love about the sport – rallies. One serve would not only cut down on the dead time of fishing the ball out of the net, but would actually encourage more rallying as the serve would have to be less risky (i.e. hit slightly higher over the net and not flirting as much with the rear out line – thus making it easier to return).
The ease of serving is a big reason that people find padel so easy to start playing. Let’s embrace that, accept that a second bite at such a simple task is superfluous and break the shackles of tennis rules which aren’t applicable to our very different (and superior) sport.
We’d love to hear your views: Please use the comment boxes below!
Mike – I like two serves and I dont agree with the statement about recreational play. Here is why:
At the professional level the serve doesnt seemt to matter – like squash at the professional level its to start the rally and everyone gets its back.
But for recreational players at both games the serve is so important. For me at squash the serve even one serve, enables me to get into a good position and I win lots of points this way. At padel having two serves I think is great.
Why because we can really go for the first serve, its the attacking shot of the game and its the only one we have full control of because the opponent hasnt touched it. After the serve we get into shots that are dictated by the opposition to a certain extent and we get into the patience game ( as Catherine Rose alluded to in another article you write). For me this first serve gives players the one shot to really attack and take control of the net, then its being patient and waiting and building the opportunity to finish the point.
With two serves I promote go for the first serve, safe second serve and I think its key to the recreational game – so please 2 serves.
Now if you want to change the scoring system away from the medieval scoring and tie break both of which are so illogical – well thats a different matter – bring it on.
Have you tried the shorter and faster-paced scoring format called Thirty30 Padel yet?
Every game starts at 30-30, announced “thirty-thirty” – the clue is in the name!
Better than sets to 4 games with no ads.
http://www.thirty30padel.com
Absolutely agree, especially when playing mixed Padel it prevents the men getting « free » points. Also will make for better longer rallies which is why we love Padel!!
we often use one serve as part of a “handicap” system when players are of a different standard ie the better player only gets one serve against the weaker player
Having only one serve does make sense, though I will miss going for some higher-risk first serves.
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