If rain, poor light or another external event suspends a match, the 2026 FIP rules say to resume the same match state—not start again. Keep the game and point score, next server, court positions, and service and receiving order. The length of the interruption determines the restart warm-up in FIP-governed matches. This covers a suspended match, not the separate rules for an injury or medical break.
This guide is for recreational players and tournament pairs who want to restart without losing track of the score or who serves next. Local competitions and club bookings may use their own published procedures, so follow the event official or venue when they give a specific instruction.
How long is the restart warm-up?
Rule 2.11 of the FIP Rules of Padel, applying from 1 January 2026, gives these restart warm-ups after a suspension for rain, lack of light, an accident or a similar circumstance:
| Length of interruption | Warm-up on resumption |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 minutes | No warm-up |
| From 5 to 20 minutes | 1 minute |
| More than 20 minutes | 3 minutes |
At exactly 5 minutes, ask the umpire or match official. The FIP text says both “up to 5 minutes” and “from 5 to 20 minutes”, so its bands overlap at that boundary. This guide does not guess which one takes priority.
These are the FIP rulebook’s match-restart entitlements. A friendly booking may not have an umpire; ask the venue or organiser how it will handle the interruption before play resumes.
What must stay the same when play resumes?
Rule 2.12 says the match continues exactly where it stopped: same game, score, player to serve, place on court, and order of serving and receiving. The rule applies whether the interruption happens during an ordinary game or a tie-break. It does not reset the score or let a pair choose a new server or receiver.
Before leaving the court, agree or write down this restart record:
- Set and game score: for example, one set each and 4–3 in the current set.
- Point score: for example, 30–15, if the interruption began after a point and before the next one.
- Next server and service side: name the player due to serve and the side they were due to serve from.
- Receiving order: note who was due to return from each side.
- Court positions: record which pair was at each end and where the players were positioned.
- Interruption length and reason: the official can use these to apply the restart warm-up and any event procedure.
This is a practical note-taking aid, not an extra FIP procedure. If play stopped during a rally, or anyone is unsure what point state was reached, ask the umpire or organiser to settle that before restarting.
Worked example
The match is paused for 12 minutes between points. The score is one set each, 4–3 in the deciding set, 30–15 in the game; Alex is serving next from the right, and the pairs have not changed ends. Under the FIP timing band, the pairs may have a one-minute restart warm-up. Then they return to 4–3, 30–15, with Alex serving and everyone in the recorded court and service order. The pause does not turn the score back to 0–0.
Does poor light change the restart?
There is an additional instruction when lack of light causes the suspension. Rule 2.13 says the match should be stopped at an even number of games in the set being played. That means both pairs are on the same ends when play resumes. It is a specific instruction for a light-related stoppage, not a general reason to alter the score after a rain delay.
If the match is part of an organised event, let the referee or tournament official confirm when play is safe to resume and where to report. For a first competition, the Grade 5 match-day checklist explains which details to confirm with the organiser. Before restarting, use the padel warm-up guide for a normal pre-match routine; it is separate from the shorter FIP restart warm-up.
Quick questions
Does the score reset after a rain delay?
No. Under FIP Rule 2.12, the game and score continue from where the match stopped, with the same server, positions, and service and receiving order.
Do we warm up again after every interruption?
FIP Rule 2.11 sets the restart warm-up by interruption length: none up to five minutes, one minute from five to 20 minutes, and three minutes over 20 minutes. Ask the official how to apply the text if the interruption lasted exactly five minutes.
Is this automatically the rule for a friendly booking?
Do not assume so. The FIP book is the official source for matches using those rules, while a club session or local event may publish its own procedure. Ask the organiser or venue before you resume.
After the match, note the result and any useful lesson in your post-match tracking log. If you record a match, Padel Coach App can help you review a clip and choose a practice focus; keep the official score and restart details with your match notes. See the app.
Sources
- International Padel Federation: Rules of Padel, revision applying from 1 January 2026, Rules 2.11–2.13, 5.2 and 8.
- LTA Padel: Official padel rules—how to play and score, for UK-facing general scoring context. It does not set the interruption timings used above.
The FIP timing table and restart state above follow the 2026 FIP wording. The score record and worked example are editorial aids; follow the referee, event regulations and venue instructions for a specific match.
Learn how our guides are researched, prepared and checked in our editorial policy.