Internal Pressure
When new, tennis balls have an internal pressure of 14psi, while padel balls have an internal pressure of 11psi. This difference in pressure affects the diameter and bounce of the balls.
Diameter
The diameter of a tennis ball ranges between 6.54cm and 6.86cm, while the diameter of a padel ball ranges between 6.35cm and 6.77cm. The additional diameter of a tennis ball is due to the higher internal pressure when compared to a padel ball.
Weight
Both padel balls and tennis balls must weigh between 56.0 grams and 59.4 grams. There is no weight difference between the two.
Tennis balls and padel balls are made from the same base materials and in the same proportions. They have a core and a fuzzy outer layer, which are identical in both types of balls.
Bounce Height Test
Both tournament legal tennis balls and padel balls need to meet specific bounce height requirements. They should bounce between 135cm and 147cm (tennis) or 135cm and 145cm (padel) when dropped from a height of 254cm.
High Altitude Padel Ball
When playing padel at an altitude of 500m or higher, a special “high altitude” padel ball is used. It has the same weight and diameter as a regular padel ball, but its bounce height is limited to between 121.92cm and 135cm.
Use of Tennis Balls on Padel Courts
While it is not recommended to use brand new tennis balls on a padel court due to their higher bounce, older tennis balls with reduced bounce can be used for casual games or practice sessions. However, for official or serious games, it is best to use designated padel balls.
