Pickleball and tennis are two popular racquet sports that are played around the world. Although both sports involve a racquet and a ball, several differences set them apart. Pickleball is played on a court that is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a net 36 inches high at the center. The game is played with a paddle similar to a table tennis paddle and a ball similar in size to a wiffle ball.
Tennis, on the other hand, is a more established sport that has been around for centuries. It is played on a 78 feet long and 27 feet wide court, with a net 3 feet high at the center. Tennis is played with a larger racquet than pickleball and a heavier ball. The game is played with various shots, including forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves. While both sports use racquets, they also have several differences, including:
#1 - Court
A standard pickleball court has a width of 20 feet and a length of 44 feet, making it smaller than a regular tennis court that measures 36 feet in width and 78 feet in length. Some players opt to use tennis courts in cases where there are no designated pickleball courts, but this involves marking distinct boundaries. Because a pickleball court is narrower than a tennis court, the pickleball net would also be shorter, with most being 6 inches shorter than a tennis net. However, if pickleball players only have access to tennis courts, they may need to adapt to the tennis net height.
#2 - Kitchen
Pickleball has a specific area called the kitchen, located in the middle of the court and divided into two 7-foot sections on either side of the net. This area is also called a no-volley zone and is designed to prevent players from getting injured by spikes near the net. Players are not allowed to enter the kitchen to hit the ball until it has bounced.
#3 - Racquet
When pickleball was first created, players used ping-pong paddles before developing their own equipment. Even today, pickleball racquets still have a similar appearance to ping-pong paddles, rather than tennis racquets. Unlike tennis racquets, which have strings woven together in a distinctive pattern, pickleball racquets are flat and typically smooth, with some having air holes. Pickleball racquets come in various thicknesses and sizes to fit different playing styles, similar to tennis racquets. However, pickleball racquets are generally smaller than tennis racquets, despite both sports offering different sizes.
#4 - The Pickleball
If you've ever had the chance to play with a wiffle ball, you have an idea of what a pickleball is. It's a lightweight plastic ball, much lighter than a tennis ball. It's designed with holes, making it move smoother in the air than a tennis ball, but it doesn't bounce as high.
#5 - Serve
Tennis and pickleball have different rules for serving. In tennis, players use an overhand serve by tossing and hitting the ball with their racquet. However, in pickleball, players must use an underhand serve and hit the ball with the paddle below their hip. Both sports require serves to be diagonal or cross-court. On the other hand, the ball must clear the kitchen and bounce twice before volleying begins in pickleball.
#6 - Single vs. Double Matches
Just like tennis, pickleball can be played in either singles or doubles format. However, most pickleball games are played in doubles, whereas singles and doubles are almost equally popular in tennis. Moreover, pickleball doubles matches are typically played with partners on the same courtside, while tennis doubles matches have partners on opposite sides. In both sports, doubles play requires coordination and communication with your partner.
#7 - Scoring
The scoring system for tennis is complex as it involves games and sets. In contrast, pickleball scoring is easier as it does not involve games or sets. However, there are still unique aspects to the scoring system for pickleball.
Only the player who serves the ball can earn a point in pickleball, which sets it apart from tennis. The game is played for up to 11 points, but the winner must have a lead of at least two points over their opponent. Once these conditions are met, the game ends, and the team with the higher score is declared the winner.
Conclusion
Pickleball and tennis may be different, but they are both enjoyable and challenging sports. Each has unique rules and scoring systems that make them exciting to play and watch, so knowing your preferences is only a matter. Whether you prefer the fast-paced action of pickleball or the strategic gameplay of tennis, both sports offer a fun and rewarding experience for players of all ages and skill levels.
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