Paddle Tennis vs Pickleball – Major Differences

Many people who enjoy racquet sports need clarification when understanding the differences between Paddle Tennis and Pickleball. These two games seem quite similar initially, but they have some key variances. 

This Detailed Guide covers all the questions related to Paddle Tennis vs Pickleball. History of both sports, their key differences, health benefits, etc.

Since I recently Covered Pickleball Vs Racquetball it’s time to cover Paddle Tennis with Pickleball.

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

A Short History of Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun game that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It was invented in 1965 by friends Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They created it on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a new activity for their families. 

With the net lowered, they used a perforated plastic ball and ping pong paddles to play on a badminton court.

The first permanent pickleball court was built in 1967 in the backyard of Bob O’Brian, Joel’s friend and neighbor. Within a few years, pickleball started gaining popularity across America. 

The earliest known pickleball tournament occurred in 1976 at a club in Washington state. Nowadays, people of all ages play it globally in many countries. 

Pickleball is easy to learn but can become fast-paced when played competitively.

A Short History of Paddle Tennis

On the other hand, Paddleball is a racquet sport played singles or doubles on an indoor court. Players use a wooden paddle without strings to hit a small rubber ball against the walls. 

It can be played on one, three, or four walls. One and three-wall games go up to 25 points, while four-wall games are 21 points.

Paddleball originated in 1930 when Earl Riskey, a sports instructor at the University of Michigan, invented the four-wall version. This format became very popular as a recreational sport across America. 

The unique thing about paddleball is that it uses walls instead of a net, making it a highly interactive game of returning shots off the bounces.

Paddle Tennis vs Pickleball?  

There are several differences between paddle tennis and pickleball, such as the size of the court, serving, the type of paddle, the type of ball, etc.

Court Dimensions 

Compared to paddle tennis courts, pickleball courts are 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. It is ideal for pickleball players to move quickly and exchange shots on a court.

Paddle tennis courts, on the other hand, extend 50 feet in length. With paddle tennis, you’ll have more room to maneuver. As a result of the extra length, you have more space to set up angles and push the ball around your opponent.

From sideline to sideline, both courts are 20 feet wide. Whether you are playing pickleball or paddle tennis, the side-to-side distance feels the same.

Serving

In pickleball, your serve must stay underhand – meaning you strike the ball without flipping your wrist. You also need to ensure the ball bounces in the opponent’s side without going into the no-volley zone, that big circle near the net. 

But in paddle tennis, you have more freedom – you can choose to serve underhand or go for an overhand serve by flipping your wrist over when you hit the ball.

In pickleball, you have to serve diagonally to the opponent’s box. So, if you’re on the right side, you aim for the box on the left across the net. This makes it tricky because you’re serving across your body. 

Paddle tennis lets you serve to any part of the opponent’s court so that you can choose a placement strategy based on their weaknesses.

One more difference between them is the serve count. You only have one serve in pickleball, so you want to make it count. In paddle tennis, mistakes are less costly since you have two serves.

Overall, the basics are similar, but a few small details differ.

Paddles

The size and shape of the two paddles are quite different. A pickleball paddle can be no longer than 17 inches, but there is no limit on width. Most are around 7-8 inches wide. 

Paddle tennis paddles, on the other hand, are more strict – they cannot be longer than 18.5 inches, and the maximum width is 10 inches.

Another big difference is the surface. Pickleball paddles are always smooth and solid, while paddle tennis paddles often have small holes. 

The holes can be up to 3/8 inches wide. This patterned surface gives more texture and control than a smooth pickleball paddle.

The materials used are similar, though – both sports typically use lightweight composite materials like graphite, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. This keeps the paddles durable yet maneuverable.

In summary, Paddle tennis paddles are smaller and have holes, while pickleball paddles are larger without holes.

Balls 

The pickleball ball is made of plastic and has holes all over it. This helps control air resistance so players can control direction better. It weighs around 0.8 ounces, which is on the lighter side.

The paddle tennis ball is rubber like a regular tennis ball. But it has less air pressure inside, so it doesn’t bounce as high.

There are two main types of paddle tennis balls. The green dot ball has only 75% normal pressure and flies straighter. Kids and beginners prefer the “orange dot” lower bounce at 50% pressure.

Another difference is for indoor use. Since pickleball is played indoors on a softer court, the balls used outdoors differ from those used indoors. Meanwhile, paddle tennis uses the normal outdoor ball indoors, too.

Regarding materials, pickleball balls are moulded plastic with carbon or glass fibers inside for strength. Paddle tennis balls come from natural rubber-like tennis.

The Scoring System 

Paddle tennis scoring follows the traditional tennis system – you play sets that are made up of games using advantage scoring. Each game is won by reaching four points, then 15, 30, 40. If it’s a deuce, you need an advantage point. A set is won by six games or in a tiebreak at 6-6.

Pickleball is simpler. In doubles, you have three numbers – the serving team’s score, the receiving team’s score, and who is serving.  You can only score when your team is serving. 

The main things to note in pickleball doubles are that teams get two serves each before switching, and that third number tells you which player is serving 1 or 2. 

A pickleball game requires 11 points, whereas Paddle tennis requires six. In pickleball, you must win by two points.

Kitchen (Non-Volley Zone)

There are 7 feet of nets marked on both sides of a pickleball court. That marked area is known as the “kitchen.” It plays a crucial role in the game.

You’re only allowed to hit volleys from behind that kitchen line. Stepping into the kitchen means you can’t volley – you must let the ball bounce first. 

To Check the official rules for paddle tennis and pickleball check out their Official website:

Health Benefits Of Paddle Tennis And Pickleball 

Both games have health benefits, as follows:

Pickleball Perks

The following are the health benefits of pickleball.

1. Help Keep Your Mind and Body Active

With its slower pace compared to tennis, pickleball is easier on older joints and bodies. But don’t think that means it isn’t challenging! You must strategize and stay light on your feet to beat your opponent. This keeps your mind actively engaged to prevent mental decline. 

2. Social Aspect 

Pickleball is a very social sport, whether you’re chatting at the nets or cheering each other on from the sidelines. Joining a local community of players is a fun way to meet new friends and stay connected. 

3. Fitness

This game gets your heart rate up and muscles moving in a low-impact way. All those activities help manage your weight and keep you fit. 

Padel Tennis Benefits

Padel has the following health benefits.

1. Whole Body Training

Due to its fast nature, Padel requires a lot of energy from all angles. This helps you get a full-body workout that targets every major muscle group. This helps improve your stamina and your skills. You will also have a better physique as a result.

2. Reduce Stress Naturally

The Padel is an exciting game that helps you fully disconnect from your daily worries. Losing games and bonding with teammates has proven to stress release from players. You’ll feel re-energized and refreshed after every game. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions

Conclusion 

Both sports may look similar, but many factors set them apart, from court dimensions and serving styles to paddles, balls, and scoring systems. 

After reading this guide, I hope you know how to properly identify key differences between them, and your question about Paddle Tennis vs Pickleball is fully covered.

 Good luck with your Game!!