A let replays play only when the rules say the point cannot fairly stand.

What a let means in padel

A let means play is stopped and replayed instead of awarding the point to either pair. The replay may be only the serve that was affected, or the whole point, depending on when the let happened and what caused it.

When a serve is replayed

A padel serve is normally a let if it touches the net or net posts, then lands in the correct service box without becoming a service fault. If it touches the net and then lands outside the box, or lands in the box and then hits the metal fence before the second bounce, it is a fault rather than a let.

First serve and second serve are treated differently

If the let happens on the first serve, the server normally starts the point again with two serves available. If the let happens on the second serve, the server repeats only the second serve. A let does not turn a second serve into a new first serve unless the rule being applied replays the whole point.

The receiver must be ready, but cannot play both ways

The server should not serve until the receiver is ready, while the receiver should get ready within the normal rhythm of play. If the receiver genuinely was not ready, the serve is replayed. If the receiver attempts to return the serve, they normally cannot then claim they were not ready.

When the rally itself is replayed

A point can be replayed when something outside normal play interrupts it: a ball breaks, an object not part of the game enters the court, another ball or object creates a danger or possible interference, or an unexpected situation unconnected to the players stops fair play.

Accidental and deliberate interference are not the same

In officiated play, deliberate interference normally awards the point to the opponents. Involuntary interference can lead to a let and a replay. If the same pair causes repeated involuntary interference, competition rules may penalize them with loss of the point instead of another replay.

Ask for the let immediately

A player who believes a let has occurred should stop and raise it at once. Continuing the rally usually weakens or removes the claim, because officials have to decide whether the event actually prevented fair play rather than simply becoming useful after the point was lost.

Some disputes still have a normal ruling

• A net touch by a player while the ball is in play normally loses the point; it is not replayed just because it was accidental.
• A ball hitting a player or equipment usually decides the point under the contact rules, unless the specific service-let rule applies.
• A shot that is clearly out is not replayed because the players disagree after the fact.
• A serve that clips the net and then becomes a fault is still a fault, not a let.

How to make the practical call

1. Identify whether the issue happened during the serve or during the rally.
2. For a serve, check net contact, service-box landing, fence contact, and receiver readiness.
3. For a rally, ask whether the interruption came from outside normal play or from a player.
4. Separate accidental interference from deliberate interference.
5. If the rules give a clear fault or point-lost result, use that result instead of replaying.

Common let situations

• Serve clips the net, lands in the box, then stays legal: replay the serve.
• Serve clips the net, lands in the box, then hits the metal fence before the second bounce: service fault.
• A spare ball rolls onto the court during a live rally: usually a let if it may affect play or safety.
• An opponent deliberately shouts or moves to distract a shot: normally point to the affected pair, not a replay.

More padel rules

• Back to padel overview
• Padel serve rules and faults
• Padel net rules and interference
• Padel wall rules: glass, fence, and rebounds
• Tennis service lets and foot faults

Source material

• International Padel Federation documentation
• FIP Rules of Padel
• LTA padel rules and guidance