Do you love playing tennis but are looking for a new challenge? Or maybe you’ve never played tennis before but are interested in trying this popular sport. In either case, pickleball may be the perfect game for you! Although it is similar to tennis, the two sports have some key differences.
For example, the net height in pickleball is lower than in tennis, and the court size is smaller. Pickleball also uses a different ball, and the game is played with paddles instead of rackets.
Read more: Pickleball net height vs. tennis net.
Keep reading to learn more about the critical differences between pickleball and tennis!
1) Netting
Pickleball is a game played on a court with a net, just like tennis. However, there are some critical differences between the two nets. For one, the pickleball net is lower than the tennis net. The regulation height for a pickleball net is 34 inches at the center, while a tennis net is 36 inches.
This may not seem a big difference, but it can impact the game. A lower net means the ball doesn’t have to travel as far to clear the net, making it easier to keep the rally going.
2) Court Size
The court size is also different for pickleball and tennis. A pickleball court is 20 feet by 44 feet, while a tennis court is 78 feet by 36 feet. This makes a big difference in the game because it means that there are more boundaries to hit the ball over in tennis. It also means more places for people to hide on a pickleball court!
3) Ball
Tennis balls are much larger than pickleball. They are about 2.57 inches in diameter compared to pickleball which is only 2.9 inches. This makes tennis balls heavier and bouncier than pickleball.
Pickleballs are made of softer materials, such as plastic, making them less bouncy than tennis balls. This difference in bounciness affects how the game is played. In tennis, players can generate much power behind their shots because of the ball’s bounciness. This is impossible in pickleball because the ball doesn’t bounce as high.
4) Paddle
Pickleball paddles are much larger than tennis racquets and have a flat surface with no strings. The paddle is also made of different materials depending on the player’s preference.
Some of the best materials include graphite, aluminum, and composite.
5) Serving
The serve in pickleball is different than tennis in a few ways. First, the player must serve underhanded and let the ball bounce before hitting it. Second, the player can only serve from behind the baseline and must hit the ball diagonally into the service box. This is in contrast to tennis, where players can serve however they want as long as the ball hits inside the service box.
6) Scoring System
The scoring system in tennis is quite different from that in pickleball. In tennis, players must win four points to win a game. However, in pickleball, players only need to score 11 points to win a game.
Pickleball and tennis are two prevalent racket sports. If you are searching for pickleball contractors, contact Talbot Tennis. We specialize in designing and building residential and commercial tennis and pickleball courts.