Pickleball vs Paddle Tennis vs Padel

How do pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel differ? Which one is the best for you? We’re going to answer these questions.

Pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel are all racquet sports involving paddles and balls. The main difference between these sports is the size of the playing surface, the number of players, the rules, and the type of paddle or ball.

  • Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis.
  • Paddle Tennis is a sport similar to Pickleball but uses a larger paddle and a ball slightly smaller than a tennis ball.
  • Padel is a sport similar to Pickleball and Paddle Tennis but uses a smaller racquet than a tennis racquet.

Now let’s take an in-depth look at each sport.

What is Pickleball?

Similar to tennis courts, pickleball is played on a paddle court. The earliest version of the basketball game was invented by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum in 1965. During the summer, they created the game to keep their kids entertained. The name “pickleball” comes from the Pritchard’s family dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball when it was hit over the net. 

Pickleball is played with a smaller rubber ball and a paddle made of wood or plastic. One player stands before a baseline and hits the ball over the net with the paddle. The ball must bounce once on the court before the other player can hit it back. The first player who reaches 11 points wins the game as long as they are ahead by at least 2 points.

What is Paddle Tennis?

Basically, paddle tennis is tennis, but with shorter rackets and smaller balls. The game was invented in the early 1900s by two tennis players looking for a way to play in the winter. Frank P. Beal invented the game of playing tennis during the winter in the early 1900s.

Paddle Tennis can be played similarly to tennis, with a few exceptions. The main difference is that the court is much smaller, and the ball is larger. The game can be played one-on-one or in teams of two. To play, each player stands at opposite ends of the court. A player must hit the ball across the net and make it land in the other player’s court. If the ball hits the ground before reaching the other player’s court, that player gets the point. The first player to reach 11 points wins the game.

What is Padel ?

Padel is a mix of tennis and squash and is typically played on a smaller court with shorter racquets and softer balls. Padel has recently seen a surge in popularity and can now be found in countries worldwide. In 1969, Alejandro Gomez and Enrique Corcuera created padel sports in Mexico.

Padel is a racquet sport played by both one or two players. We can play on a rectangular court with a net dividing the court in half. The game’s object is to hit the ball over the net and into your opponent’s half of the court, scoring a point if your opponent cannot return it. If you hit the ball into the net, your opponent scores a point. The first player or team to reach 11 points wins the game.

Each Game Courts Size & Dimensions

Each sport has its own set of playing fields that are distinct from one another. Despite some subtle differences, they are similar. Listed below is a comparison of the dimensions of both courts.

  • Pickleball courts are typically 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with the net set at 36 inches high in the center. The court is slightly smaller than a tennis court but larger than a badminton court. Our pickleball court dimension guide is also a great resource.
  • Paddle tennis courts are typically 26 feet wide and 78 feet long, measuring 34 inches high in the center. The court is significantly larger than a pickleball court but smaller than a tennis court.
  • Padel courts are typically 20 feet wide and 60 feet long, with the net set at 34 inches high in the center. The court is significantly smaller than a paddle tennis court but larger than a pickleball court.
courts-size-dimensions

Court size makes each game more different, and players of each sport develop different skills. Pickleball players need good hand-eye coordination to hit the smaller ball, while paddle tennis players need good stamina to run across the larger court. Padel players must have good agility to make quick movements on the smaller court.

Equipment To Play Each Sport

Both pickleball and paddle tennis use paddles and balls. The main difference between the two sports is that pickleball is played on a smaller court with a lower net, and paddle tennis can be played on either a small or large court, depending on the player’s preference. 

Padel is also a sport played with a paddle and ball, but it differs from pickleball and paddle tennis in that the court is larger, the net is higher, and the ball is slower. Padel is popular in Europe and Latin America, while pickleball and paddle tennis are more popular in North America.

Game scoring system

Pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel all have different scoring systems. Pickleball uses a traditional scoring system of 11 points. The first player or team to reach 11 points and have a two-point lead wins the game. If the game is tied at 10-10, the player or team who scores the next point wins the game. 

Paddle tennis uses a traditional scoring system of 15 points. The first player or team to reach 15 points and have a two-point lead wins the game. If the game is tied at 14-14, whichever team or player scores the next point wins the game.

Padel uses a traditional scoring system tennis-like setpoint. The first player or team to win two sets of six games wins the match. If the score is tied at one set apiece, a third set is played to determine the winner.

The scoring system is one of the biggest differences between these three sports. Both pickleball and paddle tennis are played to 11 or 15 points, but padel is played to six games.

Serving styles

Padel, pickleball, and paddle tennis all serve differently.

  • In pickleball, the server stands before the net and lobs the ball over its head. They then hit the ball with a backhand swing before it bounces. If you’re planning to start a pickleball game, check out our serving rules page.
  • In paddle tennis, the server stands on one side of the court and tosses the ball high into the air so it falls within the service box on the other side. They then hit it with a forehand stroke before it bounces.
  • Padel serves similarly to paddle tennis, but servers can also choose to hit the ball low and hard towards their opponent’s courtside. It is known as a ‘drive serve.’

Technical Difficulty

Pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel are all racquet sports enjoyed by people of all ages. Although they share some similarities, there are also some key differences between these sports.

Pickleball is the simplest of the three sports. It is an easy game to learn, and there is no need for a lot of equipment to play it. Paddle tennis is a bit more complex, focusing more on technique and strategy. Padel is the most complex of the three sports, focusing more on court positioning and tactics.

Another difference between these sports is the level of technical difficulty. In pickleball, the ball is hit relatively softly, and getting the ball over the net is easy. In paddle tennis and padel, the ball is hit harder and can be difficult to control. It can make these sports more challenging for beginners.

Best for You to Play

Pickleball, paddle tennis, and padel are racquet sports involving paddles and balls. People of all ages can enjoy them, and they offer a great workout. However, some key differences between these sports may make one more appealing to you than the others. After reading this, hopefully, you’ll be convinced which sport is the best for you.

Pickleball is a slower-paced game played on a smaller court than either Paddle Tennis or Padel. The ball is much slower, making it easier to hit. It makes Pickleball a great option for those who are just starting and want to learn the basics of racquet sports.

Paddle Tennis is a bit faster-paced than Pickleball and is played on a larger court. The ball moves faster than in Pickleball, making it a good choice for those looking for more of a challenge. Paddle Tennis also requires more athleticism and hand-eye coordination than Pickleball, making it better suited for those who are already active and want to stay active.

Padel is the fastest paced of the three sports and is played on an even larger court than Paddle Tennis. The ball moves even faster than in Paddle Tennis, making it a good choice for experienced players looking for a challenge.

Conclusion

Everyone likes games for their own reasons, so every game has its importance. We can’t say that one game is better than another because it depends on what you’re looking for in a game. For a fun time spent with others, we’re playing pickleball, which is a good workout. Like all games, the key is to find what you enjoy most and stick with it. We hope this has helped you understand the differences between these three sports and which one may be the best fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Play Pickleball on A Paddle Tennis or Padel Court?

Paddle Tennis and Padel courts are not recommended for Pickleball because the ball moves too fast and can be difficult to control. The smaller court size can make it difficult to keep the ball in play. Depending on the softness of the ball and the net, you might be able to play Pickleball on a Paddle Tennis or Padel court.

Is Pickleball Easier Than Paddle Tennis or Padel?

Among the three sports, Pickleball is the easiest to play. Rules are easy to learn, and you can play slowly. It makes Pickleball a great option for those who are just starting and want to learn the basics of racquet sports.

What is the difference between paddle tennis and padel?

Paddle tennis is the American version of padel. The main difference between the two sports is that paddle tennis uses a hard ball, and padel uses a softer ball. It makes paddle tennis faster and more aggressive, while padel is slower and more tactical.

Tyson McGuffin
Tyson McGuffin is the top-ranked Pickleball player in the world. He has won numerous tournaments, and his athleticism and competitive spirit have made him a force to be reckoned with on the court. He loves to write about his sport, and he hopes to inspire other Pickleball players to reach their potential. Tyson McGuffin's love for Pickleball began when he was just a child. His father introduced him to the game, and Tyson quickly fell in love with it.