Tennis is one of the world’s most popular racket sports, played by millions across the globe, writes MatchPoint Competitions writer Joshua Foster.
Whether it’s on grass, clay, or hard courts, the aim is simple: hit the ball over the net into your opponent’s court in a way they can’t return it.
Played as singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two), tennis combines physical skill, strategy, and endurance, making it a sport for life.
Every point begins with a serve.
If the ball hits the net but still lands in the correct service box, it’s called a let serve, and the serve is replayed.
Tennis uses a traditional point-based scoring system:
If the score reaches 40–40, it’s called deuce. From deuce, a player must win two consecutive points, one to gain advantage, and one to win the game.
A set is won by the first player to win 6 games (with a 2-game lead). If the score reaches 6–6, a tiebreak is usually played to 7 points. A Match is typically best of 3 sets (women) or 5 sets (men in major tournaments).
In doubles, the server serves from behind the right-hand court and must hit diagonally to the opponent’s correct service box.
Once the serve is successful, the rally begins. Players can hit:
The ball must land inside the lines of the opponent’s court. A shot landing on the line is considered in.
You may also like: WIN the HEAD Speed MP Legend 2025 Racket + HEAD Tour Tennis Balls
You win a point when your opponent:
A fault occurs if:
Two consecutive faults = double fault, and the opponent wins the point.
Mastering these small details helps your game feel professional and fair
Read next: WIN 5 Hours of professional tennis coaching designed by Jamie Murray
MatchPoint Competitions writer Joshua Foster, who works with the UK’s home of padel, tennis & pickleball competitions, provides a guide to all the rules for pickleball.
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the UK and worldwide. It blends the best of tennis, badminton, and table tennis into a fun, fast-paced game that anyone can play.
Played on a small court with paddles and a perforated plastic ball, pickleball is easy to learn but offers plenty of tactical depth for competitive players.
Pickleball uses a unique rally scoring system where:
A typical score is announced as the server’s score – receiver’s score – server number (e.g. “4–2–1”).
After the serve, both teams must let the ball bounce once before volleying:
After these two bounces, players may volley or play off the bounce freely.
You may also like: Win the diadem warrior blucore pickleball bundle worth £250
The non-volley zone, or kitchen, is the seven-foot area on both sides of the net.
This rule keeps rallies fair and encourages placement and strategy over pure power.
A fault occurs when a player:
When the serving team commits a fault, the serve passes to the next player or to the opposing team.
In doubles pickleball:
Proper serving rotation keeps the game balanced and ensures fair play.
Learning these simple rules early prevents confusion and keeps matches flowing smoothly.
Read next: How playing racket sports boosts mental health and fitness
Ahead of the FIP Euro Padel Cup Final this week, Great Britain’s No. 1 player Aimée Gibson and GB No. 3 Tia Norton have shared their top tips to elevate your padel game.
The 2025 FIP Euro Padel Cup Final 8 is currently underway and set to conclude on Saturday 25 October in Cadiz, Spain.
This marks the final phase of this year’s Padel Cup, which began in July, writes Sports News Blitz’s Shameeka Voyiya.
With a record 37 men’s teams and 31 women’s teams entered this year, the tournament has now been divided into three phases, beginning with Europe’s smaller nations battling it out in Phase 1 (7-10 July).
The top five men’s and top four women’s teams from Phase 1 move on to Phase two, which immediately follows at the same venue in Madrid.
Phase 2 was organised into four groups of four (4×4), playing a round-robin format, which involves every player battling every other participant an equal number of times.
This is a popular format in padel that ensures each player gets to play against each other and with different partners.
Each of the four men’s and women’s group winners will qualify for Phase 3, known as The Final 8.
World No. 1 Aimee Gibson and World No. 3 Tia Norton are set to represent GB at this week’s Final 8, and they shared top tips to improve one’s skills in this fast-growing sport.
Both Gibson and Norton shared excitement to compete with the likes of padel powerhouses Spain and Italy.
“It was amazing for us to qualify, to be amongst Spain and Italy,” said Gibson, according to Sports Gazette.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve all said it will be interesting to see how our level compares to the likes of Spain. Hopefully we can get some wins as well.”
You may also like this: Padel bundle: WIN the Coello 2025 HEAD bundle. Play like a pro for just 95p
Unlike in tennis, padel features glass walls that surround the court where the ball is allowed to hit the back glass after one bounce.
Gibson and Norton emphasised that using the glass is essential to amping up your padel playing skills.
“The glass is your friend,” said Gibson, according to Sports Gazette.
“I would suggest trying to let the ball hit the glass when you’re starting. Even if you miss it, just get used to letting the ball go past you.
“Coming from tennis, I was always trying to volley it or hit it before the glass. But once you get more confidence and you get used to it, it’s easier to deal with.”
Norton agreed: “Try to use the glass as quickly as you can.
“It is really foreign to have something behind you so people tend to neglect it and then get into the habit of hitting everything before the glass.
“I would say just try and use it as fast as possible and get into the habit of doing it. The more you do it, the easier it will become.”
The pros also advised against attempting to overpower your opponent, despite it being tempting.
“My top piece of advice is to not hit the ball as hard as you can,” Gibson said.
“When people step onto a padel court they tend to want to smack it and win the point as fast as possible, like tennis.
“But padel is a little bit more about control and building the point more so that you’re able to finish it. If you hit it too hard the ball’s going to come back easily for your opponent.”
Above all, Norton highlighted the importance of having fun on the padel court.
Speaking at the Pro Am Padel Tour National Final last week, she said: “Have fun! Padel is a really big community sport.
“Like you can see here today, we’ve got pros, we’ve got celebs, we’ve got a big community feel to the environment.
“That’s one of the reasons I started playing – you almost feel like a little family.
“With the padel space growing a lot, there’s lots of new cultures and diversities coming into it. The biggest one is to enjoy it.”
Gibson said the supportive nature of the sport is one of the reasons she looks forward to representing GB at The Final 8 this week.
“The team is so nice, we all support each other, especially on the side,” she said.
Read next: Padel rules explained: A complete beginner’s guide
Matchpoint competitions writer Joshua Foster, a member of the UK’s home of padel, tennis & pickleball competitions, provides all you need to know about padel, one of the most popular sports on the planet.
Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, combining the strategy of tennis with the fun and pace of squash.
Played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh walls, padel offers a fast, social, and tactical way to stay active.
Each player gets two serves, just like in tennis.
Padel uses the same scoring system as tennis:
Matches are typically best of three sets.
One of the most unique padel rules is that players can use the walls.
This adds a tactical layer that rewards positioning, anticipation, and creativity.
You may also like: Padel bundle: WIN the Coello 2025 HEAD bundle. Play like a pro for just 95p
If the ball clips the net but still lands in the correct service box, it’s called a “let”, and the serve is replayed.
Once the serve is in, players can hit volleys, groundstrokes, or use the walls strategically. The ball remains in play as long as it:
You win a point when your opponents:
Read next: How Match Point Competitions works: The simple guide
By Matchpoint writer Jack Reece – October 16th, 2025
Draw closes 1 November 2025, 5:30 pm
The winner will receive a five-hour group coaching experience at one of the UK’s top indoor tennis venues.
This isn’t a standard coaching session, it’s a full clinic built to sharpen doubles play, crafted by Grand Slam legend Jamie Murray.
This exclusive experience is ideal for club-level players who want to take their tactical understanding and skills to the next level.
Jamie Murray is one of Britain’s most accomplished doubles players.
Known for his tactical intelligence and quick reactions on court, Jamie has built a doubles training programme used by top instructors across the country.
We’ve partnered with David Lloyd Leisure and other prestigious clubs to host these sessions. All clinics take place indoors to guarantee perfect playing conditions, rain or shine.
This isn’t about standing in line hitting balls. It’s structured, fast-paced, and focused on real match play tactics.
You’ll work on spacing, timing, returns, formations, and positioning, everything that turns good doubles players into great ones.
After the session, you’ll receive a digital takeaway pack with the key points covered, so you can keep improving long after the clinic ends.
You may also like: How Match Point Competitions works: The simple guide
These tennis clinics are designed for adult club level doubles players, with sessions matched to ability. If your level sits slightly outside our usual range, we can help arrange a suitable alternative.
Entries close on 1 November 2025 at 5:30pm. When the timer hits zero, the draw is locked and one winner will secure this Jamie Murray tennis coaching experience.
This is a rare chance to learn from one of Britain’s most successful doubles players, in a professional, structured environment, built for real improvement.
Serious coaching. Real tactics. Top venues.
ENTER THE COMPETITION NOW
18+ only. Please play responsibly.
Operated by Match Point Competitions, the UK’s home of padel, tennis and pickleball prize draws.
Read next: Padel bundle: WIN the Coello 2025 HEAD bundle. Play like a pro for just 95p
Tennis, padel and pickleball are all enjoying surges in popularity across the globe
But what are the main differences between the three sports? MatchPoint Competitions writer Joshua Foster takes a look here…
Players play tennis on a larger court (23.77m x 8.23m for singles) with different surfaces such as clay, grass, or hard courts.
In padel, players use a smaller, enclosed court (20m x 10m) surrounded by glass and mesh walls, which allows the ball to bounce back and create dynamic rallies.
Pickleball uses the smallest court (13.41m x 6.10m), similar in size to badminton, with a low net and no walls.
You may also like this: Soccer legend Diego Maradona’s passion for padel one of his best-kept secrets
Tennis players use strung rackets and pressurized balls. Power and spin play a big role in the ability to play the game, as well as physical conditioning.
Padel players use solid, perforated, stringless rackets made mostly from carbon fibre, and the balls have slightly lower pressure than standard tennis balls.
Pickleball involves a paddle similar to a large table tennis bat with a perforated plastic ball called a wiffle, which makes the game much slower and more tactical.
Tennis emphasizes speed, athleticism, and endurance, with long baseline rallies and strong serves playing a role in the level of your ability.
Padel blends tennis and squash. Walls extend rallies, encouraging strategy, teamwork and clever shot placement and the ability to predict bounces from the glass and cage walls.
The “kitchen” (non-volley zone) rules encourage dinks, drop shots, and precision over brute force.
Tennis can be physically demanding and has a steeper learning curve, with many people taking years to perfect the art of playing.
Padel is easier for beginners since rallies last longer and power is less important. Many courts are available to the public, making it easier to start.
Pickleball is considered the most beginner-friendly, popular among all ages, especially seniors, with physical conditions not affecting people’s ability to play at a social level.
When comparing Tennis vs padel vs pickleball, the right choice depends on your goals.
So what do you choose?
Read next : TV personality Kem Cetinay takes on 24-hour padel challenge for charity
If you’ve ever wondered how these competitions actually work, or worried it’s complicated, then this is for you.
I’ve kept it simple and easy to play.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get involved and why it’s worth it.
1️. Pick your prize: Choose the competition that makes you think, “I’d love to win that.”
2. Secure your entries: One ticket or more, you decide.
3. Answer a quick skill question: This keeps it fair and legal.
4. Watch the live draw: Every winner is announced in real time for everyone to see.
You’ll always know the ticket price, how many are left, what your odds are, and exactly when the draw takes place.
Because normally, the best equipment, luxury sports holidays, and private pro coaching sessions cost a fortune.
Most players look, dream, and walk away. That never sat right with me.
Here, you can turn pennies into once in a lifetime moments. It’s about opening doors that are usually closed and giving every player a fair shot, not just the few who can afford it.
And every ticket does more than give you a chance to win. Part of every competition goes to charities bringing sport to kids and communities who’d otherwise miss out. We set donation goals for every prize and share exactly where the money goes.
When you enter, you’re not just chasing a prize, you’re part of something bigger.
This is for anyone who loves racket sports. Whether you’re hitting balls in the park or competing in professional matches.
Just a level playing field where every player has a real shot at dream prizes.
That’s it. Simple. Fast. Fair.
This isn’t just a prize site, it’s a community built by players, for players, making the best of this sport accessible to all.
Jack | Founder of Match Point Competitions