Padel / Rule 17
Changing balls
FIP · 2026In short
Published ball policies, timing and replacements.
Scheduled changes
Organisers announce the ball type, whether 2 or 3 balls are used, and any change policy. Changes may be at set starts or after a specified odd number of games. Warm-up counts as 2 games and a tie-break as one; a change due at tie-break start waits until the following set’s second game.
Lost balls and errors
A missed scheduled change is corrected when the pair entitled to serve with new balls next serves. Lost or damaged balls must be replaced: play cannot continue with only one ball. A ball lost within the first 2 games after a change gets a new replacement; later, use similar wear.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent summaries of the FIP Rules of Padel 2026, applicable from 01.01.2026: all 17 rules plus equipment and conduct. References use physical PDF pages. Scoring format depends on the competition.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗