The game of paddle tennis originated in 1898 as a game for children. In 1959 Murray Geller completely revised the rules and court markings and dimensions, creating the spectacular and exciting game we know today.

The strokes, grips, scoring, and strategy of paddle tennis are the same as tennis. The server, however, is allowed only one underhand serve. In singles, the server must allow the return of serve to bounce once before rushing to the net. Also, the official paddle tennis ball is deadened. It is a regular pressurized tennis ball that has its internal pressure reduced by being punctured (with a hypodermic needle). When the ball is dropped from a height of six feet to the court surface, the bounce should be not less than 31 inches (the height of the net), and not more than 33 inches.

The regulation court is 50 feet long by 20 feet wide. The same court is used for singles and doubles; there are no doubles alleys. A minimum of 15 feet backspace and ten feet side space is recommended.

For a complete set of rules, please visit https://www.paddle-tennis.com/rules/default.htm

The NYSPTA would like to thank Hofstra University for its past hosting of this site.