How long does a professional padel match last?

The length of a professional padel match can vary considerably depending on various factors such as the level of the players, the equality of the matches and the format of the tournament. However, we can establish a general range to give you a rough idea.

Why does the duration vary so much?

• Number of sets: Most matches are played in a best of three sets format. If a player or pair wins the first two sets, the match ends.
• Tiebreaks: Tiebreaks can significantly extend the length of a set, especially if the set is very close.
• Pace of play: Pace of play can be affected by factors such as weather conditions, injuries or simply player strategy.
• Breaks: Between each set there is a short 90 second break for players to recover.

What is the average length of a professional match?

A professional padel match usually lasts between 80 and 90 minutes. This is the estimated time considering the three sets, the breaks and a normal pace of play. However, as we have mentioned, this duration can be much longer if there are situations such as long tiebreaks or if the match is very close. On the other hand, an amateur match usually lasts on average between 60 and 70 minutes approximately.

What factors influence duration?

• Player level: Professional players tend to have a very high technical level, which translates into longer points and longer rallies.
• Tournament format: In some tournaments, matches are played best of five sets, which considerably increases the overall duration.
• Weather conditions: Weather conditions may affect the pace of play and the duration of the match.
• Surfaces: The surface of the track can also influence the duration of the points.

Longest point in the history of professional padel

A point in professional padel lasts approximately 20 seconds, from the first impact. Long points last about 40 seconds, and it is very rare to see a point that lasts 60 seconds.

The longest point in the history of the professional padel circuit lasted no less than 6 minutes and 48 seconds. The WPT was being played at the Mexico City Open in 2021, in a match between Francisco Navarro and Martíndi Nenno against Juan Tello and Federico Chingotto. A point that lasted over 6 and a half minutes.

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