Padel and tennis are two popular racquet sports that have many similarities, but also some important differences. One of those differences is the ball used in both sports. In this article, we will discuss the frequently asked question, what are the differences between padel balls and tennis balls.
Size
The size of the ball is a difference between padel balls and tennis balls. Padel balls are smaller than tennis balls. The difference is minimal, but still good to know! A padel ball has a diameter of about 6.35 cm, while a tennis ball has a diameter of about 6.7 cm.
Weight
The weight of the ball is also different between the two sports. Padel balls are lighter than tennis balls. A padel ball weighs about 56 grams, while a tennis ball weighs about 58 grams. This difference is also almost negligible
Speed
The speed of the ball is another difference between padel balls and tennis balls. Padel balls are slower than tennis balls. This is partly due to the lower weight of the padel ball, but also due to the hard outer layer that has less resilience than the felt of a tennis ball.
Bounce
The bounce of the ball is also different between padel balls and tennis balls. Padel balls generally have less bounce than tennis balls. This is partly due to the material used, but mainly due to the lower pressure. As a result, the ball receives less energy when hitting or bouncing, which results in a slower ball displacement.
Quality
For both sports you will find balls of different quality. Cheap balls will soften sooner and should therefore be replaced sooner. Premium balls keep the bounce longer. In addition, we see that cheap balls are often not 100% round due to poor workmanship. so pay attention to what you are looking for.
Orbit balls are made of 100% natural rubber with a very high percentage of felt to allow the player to enjoy optimally performing padel balls for a long time.
Conclusion
While padel and tennis have many similarities, there are also some key differences, including the ball used. Padel balls are smaller, lighter, slower and generally have less bounce than tennis balls. It is important to understand these differences.
If you are looking for high-quality padel balls, you can find Orbit's Premium balls here
