Here are 5 key differences between pickleball and tennis that every newbie must know about it
It is easy to confuse pickleball with tennis, especially for those who haven’t actually played pickleball. Although this game was derived from tennis and badminton, it is not exactly like tennis. From the rules to the court size, the serving, the playing tools, and the rules, everything is different when you compare pickleball with tennis. So if you are someone not sure about those differences, then here is a list of the major differences that exist between these games.
Pickleball Vs Tennis
Pickleball is a fun, quick-paced sport that is becoming more and more well-liked all around the world. Playing this game with youngsters and adults is enjoyable. One of the sports with the quickest growth in America is it. It is a paddleball sport that is a special fusion of badminton, table tennis, and tennis, but it has its own distinctive taste. People of all ages may play it, and it is simple to learn. Since the court is so little, it may be played in almost any place. Pickleball can be played solo or doubles, like other racket sports, but most players favor doubles. It is played using a flat paddle that is variously sized and shaped and is slightly larger than a ping-pong paddle.
One of the three main racquet sports, tennis, is played in singles or doubles configurations. Tennis has transformed from a secluded, specialized activity to a well-liked international sport. Nowadays, tennis is played practically everywhere in the world. Tennis’ early exclusivity was due in part to its ties to older racket sports, particularly Real Tennis, which was mostly practiced in the 16th century among European royalty. Tennis is currently one of the most widely played individual racket sports in the world. The player strikes the ball with the racket, sending it over the net and onto the court of the opposition. The player scores if the opponent does not return the ball. A player with a two-point advantage wins in a four-point game. A set consists of six games, while a match consists of two to three games.
5 Keys Difference between Tennis and Pickleball
If pickleball and tennis are not the same, then what makes them different from each other? Let me explain all the differences through 5 major aspects:
Court Sizes Are Different
We cannot deny that the rules of the two games are quite similar; they differ in some important ways. The size of the court is the primary distinction between the two games. Tennis courts are about 78 feet long and 36 feet wide. Singles matches are played on courts that are 27 feet wide. Contrarily, a pickleball court is the same size as a badminton doubles court, being 44 feet long and 20 feet broad. A pickleball net will be smaller than a tennis net, just like the rest of the sport’s accessories. A pickleball net is about 36 inches high at each post and 34 inches high in the middle. While a tennis net is 36 inches tall throughout the entire court. Only two inches separate the two nets, making it simple to convert most tennis courts into pickleball courts for recreational play.
Pickleball Paddle VS Tennis Racket
Tennis is played using a racket, which resembles a bat and has a long handle. It is stretched across a network of closely woven strings and has a round frame with an open hoop. From butt to handle, it measures 27 to 29 inches. A flat paddle similar to the one used in ping pong is used in pickleball, and its size and form can vary. Compared to a tennis racket, the paddle is tiny. Pickleball balls are plastic balls with drilled-in holes, unlike tennis balls, which have a surface made of a homogenous rubber compound covered with felt.
A pickleball paddle is typically pictured as a large ping-pong paddle. Though it’s a little more complicated than that, that is largely accurate. There are other factors to consider besides the size and shape of these two sporting goods. It’s the way they act. The performance disparities are so great that pickleball and tennis require entirely different playing and swinging styles.
The tennis racquet’s strings flex slightly to make room for the compressed tennis ball when you hit it with it. But this doesn’t happen in pickleball. Stone walls are like pickleball paddles. Pickleballs do not compress, as we discussed in the previous section. Therefore, when you hit a pickleball with your paddle, it immediately bursts off and will deflect rather than compress. Consequently, it is impossible to “grab” the ball while playing pickleball and have it spin extremely well. Pickleball’s moment of contact is too brief for physics to take effect. Pickleball paddles feature a core, which is another way tennis racquets and pickleball paddles differ from one another.
Pickleball Has Different Scoring System
In pickleball, scoring is significantly different. First, the point of contact must be below the hip while serving underhandedly. Pickleball is often played to 11 points with a two-point victory. Only the serve can result in a point, and when it does, you and your partner trade places. With the exception of a side out, singles scoring is equivalent to doubles scoring. Tennis is a four-point game, and the winner is the person who is up by two points. There are two to three sets every game. One significant distinction is that, unlike tennis, pickleball only allows you to score on your serve. The receiving squad is unable to score. Tennis matches typically last two out of three sets, with games leading to sets. Games in pickleball are played to up to 11 points, and a team has to win by two points to win. Anyone can learn the scoring system in both sports with just two or three games.
Different Balls To play
Compared to a tennis ball, a pickleball is lighter and bounces lower. It’s always funny to see tennis players’ initial responses to pickleball bounce. They appear confused and hazy. They’re not used to pickleball since it bounces so low. The pickleball’s diameter must be between 2.784 and 2.972 inches (73 cm to 75.5 cm), and its weight must be between 0.78 ounces and 0.935 ounces (22 grammes – 26.5 grams).
Tennis balls are bulky, bouncing items. The rubber core inside the ball contracts when it is hit or dropped. The ball bounces because of this. Tennis players anticipate this. Pickleballs, on the other hand, don’t bounce as high since they lack a core. Pickleballs are fragile and composed of rigid plastic. They do not compress or rebound very high because they are not rubber. There are essentially two types of pickleball. Pickleballs are easily impacted by the wind because they are really just Wiffle balls. Because of this, outdoor balls need substantially fewer holes to continue to function. This minimizes the possibility of the wind affecting the balls.
Pickleball has The Double Bounce Rule
The double bounce rule, which does not apply in tennis, is the last point. This rule’s name may be a little deceptive. Actually, it has a very different meaning. Don’t forget that the game is over if the ball bounces twice! This guideline is crucial. Basically, this rule is applicable to the game’s opening shots. The double bounce rule states that a ball must bounce once after the serve and once more after the return.
Bottomline
Pickleball features rules that are influenced by a number of racquet sports, including tennis, but it also has its own distinctive charm that makes it a pleasant activity to play. Compared to tennis, it is also simpler to learn. Additionally, both games can be played in singles or doubles, although pickleball only allows underhand serving. Additionally, there is no set format for pickleball games; instead, the team that scores 11 points first and leads by two points wins. The match goes on till one team wins by two. In contrast to tennis, you can only score while serving.
