Pickleball Vs Tennis is an inevitable debate when you are in love with racket sports and here is everything that you need to know.
Pickleball has evolved as one of the best recreational and competitive sports over the years. It has borrowed rules and playing styles from various racket games, but people believe that it mainly originated from tennis. Also, it is quite similar to paddle tennis since both sports have the same origin. In this post, I’ll discuss how pickleball compares to tennis and paddle tennis.
Pickleball Vs Tennis
As stated earlier, both paddle tennis and pickleball originated from tennis. Tennis and pickleball are similar and different from each other in many ways, and here we have got you covered with all these distinctions and similarities.
Difference Between Pickleball And Tennis
1. Rackets And Paddles
The most obvious difference between both sports is, of course, the equipment they use. Tennis is played with traditional tennis rackets. A tennis racket has a stronger frame with taut strings crisscrossing its interior. Paddles used in pickleball are half the length of tennis rackets.
These paddles have a solid, smooth face instead of crisscrossed taut strings. Paddles have short handles, and they are lighter than tennis rackets. The tennis rackets have strings on the face, and when you strike the ball, these strings bend and tend to compress into the ball.
The paddles have a smooth, solid face, and when you hit the ball, it is deflected from its original angle since there is no compression and bending to accommodate the pickleball balls. In simple words, a pickleball paddle pops off when you hit the ball.
2. Tennis Court Vs Pickleball Court
Court size differs greatly in both sports. Pickleball courts are shorter and narrower than tennis courts. A standard tennis court measures 78×36 feet. Tennis courts designed for some tournaments are even bigger than this. On the other hand, a pickleball court measures 44×20 feet that are almost equal to standard double badminton courts.
3. Court Layout
The pickleball court is the same for singles and doubles, but tennis courts designed for singles are different from the courts designed for doubles. The key differences are double alleys and kitchen:
- Double Alleys
In pickleball court, there are no double alleys, and both players of the team can use every single inch of the court. In the tennis court, two lines run through the court perpendicular to the nets. The area between these lines is called a double alley. When you are playing singles, the shots landing in this zone are out.
This space is basically to provide extra space for doubles games. So, in doubles, shots landing in these games are legal. In pickleball, there is no concept of double alleys, and the court size remains the same for both singles and doubles games.
- Kitchen
The kitchen Or No-Volley zone is the biggest difference that lies between the tennis and pickleball court layouts. The no-volley zone in the pickleball courts measures 7 feet to both sides from the center lines. In this zone, players are forbidden to stand in while volleying the ball. On the tennis court, you won’t see any no-volley zone.
4. Net Size
Net size in tennis measures 3 feet 6 inches from the center. In pickleball, it is 6 feet from the center. The Pickleball net is also narrower than tennis nets.
5. Balls Weight
Pickleball is played with small plastic balls that are very similar to Wiffle balls. These balls have perforated holes in them. Balls currently being used in pickleball weigh around .88 Oz and are slightly heavier than traditional Wiffle balls (.7 Oz). On the other hand, tennis balls have pressurized rubber cores that are covered with nylon-wool blend cloth.
These balls weigh around 2 Oz and are much bigger and heavier than plastic balls in pickleball. Tennis balls have more bounce than pickleball balls. However, pickleball balls travel smoothly through the air since they have less drag due to the perforated construction. Holes on these balls are round and evenly spaced.
6. Pickleball Vs. Tennis Ball
Here are the key differences between Pickleball and Tennis Balls:
| Aspect | Pickleball Ball | Tennis Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller and lighter | Larger and heavier |
| Material | Made of plastic with holes | Covered in felt fabric |
| Bounce | Lower bounce | Higher bounce |
| Speed | Slower speed | Faster speed |
| Durability | Typically more durable due to plastic | Less durable, can wear out faster |
| Spin | Limited spin due to smooth surface | Allows for more spin control |
| Use on Surfaces | Suitable for indoor and outdoor play | Primarily for outdoor play on tennis courts |
| Sound | Produces a distinct “pop” sound | Produces a characteristic “thud” sound |
The tennis ball is bigger and heavier than a pickleball ball. According to International Tennis Federation rules, the diameter of tennis balls should be between 6.54 cm and 6.86 cm. The size of the pickleball ball is the same as traditional Wiffle balls, i.e., it is just under 3 cm. The size of these balls varies between 2.8 cm to 2.9 cm.
7. Keeping The Scores
Keeping scores in tennis is different from keeping scores in pickleball. In pickleball, there are no set games as in tennis. Tennis is a four-point game, and these four points are named Love, 15, 30, and 40. The player/team who scores 4 points with a lead of 2 wins the game.
If both teams reach a score of 40, the game extends further until one of them wins the game by a lead of 40. Four points win a game, 6 games win a set, and two or three sets win a match. On the other hand, pickleball is an 11-point game. The team that scores 11 points with a lead of 2 wins the game. The winning score can be 11-9, 10-12, 13-11, and so on.
8. How To Score
The goal in tennis and pickleball is to win a rally, but the rules for scoring a point are entirely different. In pickleball, only the serving team can score a point. When you hit a serve, and the opponent fails to defend it, you score a point. But if the serving team loses the rally, the receiving team doesn’t get a point.
The serving team loses the right to serve, and the other team wins the turn to serve. To score a point in pickleball, you must be on the serving side of the court, but in tennis, you are rewarded with a point for both successful defense and offense.
Similarities Between Tennis And Pickleball
1. Same Playing Styles
Both sports are played on rectangular courts divided by nets. Both sports are based on hitting the ball back and forth around the nets. To win and survive in tennis and pickleball, you need to win rallies. Rally is hitting the ball back and forth in a sequence after the service and before a fault.
2. PickleBall Vs Paddle Tennis
Pickleball and paddle tennis have many things in common that help them differentiate from the tennis for which they originated. Since both are paddle sports, they may look the same at a glance. However, some key distinctions are making them entirely different from each other. To help you understand pickleball Vs. paddle tennis, I’ve enlisted the key differences and similarities between these sports.
Difference Between Pickleball And Paddle Tennis
Here is a table outlining the differences between Pickleball and Paddle Tennis:
| Aspect | Pickleball | Paddle Tennis |
|---|---|---|
| Court Surface | Usually played on hard courts | Typically played on clay or hard courts |
| Equipment Weight | Paddles are typically lighter | Paddles are typically heavier |
| Ball Type | Plastic ball with holes | Rubber ball |
| Court Boundaries | Includes non-volley zone (the “kitchen”) | No specific non-volley zone |
| Scoring System | Rally scoring is common | Traditional side-out scoring |
| Serve Location | Must serve from behind the baseline | Can serve from anywhere behind the baseline |
| Net Design | Lower net with two-inch overlay at the ends | Standard net height throughout |
| Ball Bounce | Plastic ball has a lower bounce | Rubber ball has a higher bounce |
| Rules for Volleys | More strict rules on volleys | Fewer restrictions on volleys |
| Court Lines | Different court lines for singles and doubles | Same court lines for singles and doubles |
1. Paddle
Paddles used in both pickleball and paddle tennis look similar, but when we take a closer look, the differences are more evident. The maximum length of the pickleball paddle is 17 inches. The length of the pickleball paddles varies between 15.5 and 17 inches. Paddles used in paddle tennis come in three lengths: 17 inches, 17.5 inches, and 18 inches.
Most adult paddles are 18 inches in length, but junior ade can be 18 inches in length. The face texture of the pickleball paddles is also different from the paddles used for paddle tennis. Pickleball paddles have to be completely smooth, while paddle tennis paddles are often textured and sometimes perforated.
The paddles used in paddles tennis can have up to 87 holes each having a diameter of 3/8 inches. The texture and holes in the paddle enhance the swing and rebound and sometimes have an unfair advantage. Pickleball paddles needed to be perfectly smooth and leagues use a special tool to measure the smoothness of the paddle surface.
2. Court Dimensions
The standard pickleball court is almost equal to a doubles badminton court, and it measures 20 feet in width and 44 feet in length. These are standard dimensions that also include the lines. The width of paddle tennis courts is the same as pickleball courts, but it is 6 feet long, and the length measures 50 feet.
3. Balls
Pickleball and paddle tennis are played with entirely different balls, and this is one of the most evident differences. Initially, pickleball was played with lightweight plastic balls that looked like Wiffle balls. There is a slight improvement in design over time, and nowadays, pickleball uses a smaller plastic ball riddled with holes.
Paddle tennis, being close to tennis, uses depressurized rubber balls that are entirely different from the plastic balls used in pickleball. These balls are bigger than plastic pickleball balls.
4. Keeping The Scores
The scoring system in paddle tennis follows the scoring pattern of tennis, i.e., starting from love to 15 to 30 to 40 to victory. To win a set you need to score 6 points and if a game reaches 6-6 a tie-break to 7 points is played to decide the winner.
The scoring system in pickleball is unique and rather more complex than paddle tennis. The team that scores 11 points with a lead of 2 wins the game, for instance, 12-10, 13-11, or 11-9. Etc. Keeping the score in pickleball is quite difficult due to its complex scoring rules.
5. Scoring Rules
The scoring rules of both of these sports are also different. Paddle tennis follows the traditional scoring rules of racket games. In paddle tennis, you get points for both successful offense and defense. Whether you are on the serving side or the receiver side, you have an equal opportunity to score a point.
In pickleball, only the serving team can score a point. If the serving team wins the rally, they score a point. If the opponent teams win the rally, the serving right of their opponent is lost, and they win the turn to serve. To win a point in pickleball, you must be on the server side.
6. Court Layout
The court layout is almost the same for both paddle tennis and pickleball. The key difference between the court layout is the no-volley zone. The no-volley zone is only found in pickleball. It is a zone that extends 7 feet to both sides from the center. In this zone, the players are forbidden from smashing the ball back over the nets.
The Pickleball court is already shorter than the paddle tennis court, and the presence of a non-volley zone leaves a very limited space for hitting the ball. It makes the pickable a little more challenging than paddle tennis.
Similarities Between Pickleball And Paddle Tennis
1. Both Use Paddles
Paddle tennis and pickleball are both classified as paddle sports. Tennis is played with rackets featuring solid frames and taut strings in a criss-cross pattern. Paddles look similar to the rackets but they have a solid face.
2. Style Of Play
Both these games are based on hitting the ball back and forth around the net. To survive and win the game, the basic goal of every player is to win a rally. Both games have a similar court layout as there are no double alleys in both pickleball or paddle tennis courts. It means all players on the teams can play from any point of the court.
People Also Ask
Is Pickleball Easier Than Tennis?
Pickleball is much easier to learn than tennis when it is compared to rules, court dimensions, paddles, balls, stretch, and hit patterns. A Pickleball court is also smaller than a tennis court and also requires less effort and cost than a tennis court. Pickleball paddles and balls are also lightweight as compared to tennis.
How Is Pickleball Different From Tennis?
Pickleball is different from tennis in many ways, from court size, game rules, ball size and shape, racket shape, and others. Tennis courts have large sizes and widths as compared to pickleball. Pickleball players use plastic balls and lightweight paddles, while tennis players use a heavy racket with rubber-covered balls.
Is A Pickleball Court The Same As A Tennis Court?
No, the first difference between pickleball and tennis is their court layout. Pickleball is played on a smaller court while tennis has a large size court. Tennis courts are 60 feet wide and 120 feet long, and pickleball courts are 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
Is Pickleball Played On A Tennis Court?
Yes, you can play pickleball on the tennis court, but for this, there is a need for some modification on the tennis court. You have to convert the tennis court to a pickleball court. Reduce the length of the tennis court from 60 feet to 20 feet, and width from 120 feet to 44 feet, and the net height to 34″ in the center.
Do You Need Special Shoes For Pickleball?
Yes, for optimum performance, you need to wear shoes designed for pickleball. Regular Running shoes lack the stability that you need on pickleball courts. Pickleball shoes have a wide base and big heel cup size, making them more stable on the court.
Can You Wear Running Shoes For Pickleball?
It is not recommended to wear running shoes for pickleball. These shoes offer limited traction and stability as they have a narrower base.
Can You Wear Pickleball Shoes For Tennis?
No, you can’t wear pickleball shoes. Pickleball shoes feature a design that is specific to sports and cannot be used as multi-purpose athletic footwear. These shoes feature specific designs to accommodate rapid cutting and lateral movement without limiting stability.
Is A Pickleball Bigger Than A Tennis Ball?
No, pickleball is played with smaller balls as compared to tennis balls. Pickleballs are around 3 inches in diameter, and tennis balls are slightly higher than pickleballs. Pickleball Balls are also more lightweight than tennis. As pickleball is played with plastic balls with holes in them pickleball is louder than tennis.
The Final Verdict
I’m hopeful that this guide will help you understand how pickleball is different from tennis and paddle tennis. Though paddle tennis and pickleball are newer than tennis, they are the best competitive sports that you can play at any age.
Other Related Posts:
- History Of Pickleball
- Pickleball Skill Rating
- Pickleball Serving Rules
- Best Pickleball Shoes
- Pickleball Court Cost
Sadaf Awan
The writer is a biologist by profession but has a spark for writing and giving life to her words. She’s been in the field for the last 4 years and has so many achievements in her name. She loves to write about sports. Her recent experiences are in niches like football, pickleball, baseball, golf, car racing, tennis, table tennis, etc.
