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Padel vs tennis vs pickleball: the key differences
Padel and pickleball are both booming in Britain, and plenty of people come to them from tennis. They share an underarm serve with each other, but they're very different games. Here's how they compare.
| Padel | Tennis | Pickleball | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court | 20m x 10m, enclosed | 23.77m x 10.97m, open | 13.41m x 6.09m, open |
| Walls | Part of the game | Not used | Not used |
| Players | Usually doubles | Singles or doubles | Singles or doubles |
| Racket | Solid, perforated, no strings | Strung frame | Flat paddle |
| Ball | Pressurised, lower bounce than tennis | Pressurised | Hollow plastic with holes |
| Serve | Underarm, after a bounce | Usually overarm | Underarm |
| Scoring | Tennis-style games and sets | Games and sets | Games commonly to 11 points |
Source: LTA: Padel vs tennis; LTA Padel: Pickleball vs padel.
Padel vs tennis
A padel court is much smaller than a tennis court and is surrounded by walls that the ball can rebound off once it has bounced. The racket is shorter, solid and stringless, and the ball is slightly less pressurised, so it bounces lower and slower. Padel is played almost entirely as doubles and always starts with an underarm serve. Scoring is the same as tennis. Source: LTA: Padel vs tennis.
The two sports clearly feed each other: the LTA says around two-thirds of padel players also play tennis. Source: PadelNation: LTA marks World Padel Day as Britain reaches 1.5m players. You can't play padel on a tennis court, though. It needs its own enclosed court. Source: LTA Padel: Padel FAQs.
Padel vs pickleball
The biggest difference is the walls. A padel court is enclosed by glass and mesh that are part of play, while a pickleball court is open. Pickleball uses a flat paddle and a light plastic ball with holes, is played as singles or doubles, and games are usually played to 11 points. It also has a no-volley zone near the net, known as the kitchen. Source: LTA Padel: Pickleball vs padel.
Both sports date from the 1960s. Padel has its strongest following in Spain and parts of Europe and Latin America, and pickleball in the United States, though both are growing in Britain. Source: Financial Times: Tennis clubs grapple with surge in demand for padel and pickleball; LTA Padel: Pickleball vs padel.
Which is easiest to learn?
The LTA says padel is generally easier for beginners than tennis, because of the smaller court, the underarm serve and the slower ball. It says pickleball can be easier still thanks to its slower pace, while padel offers more dynamic rallies off the walls. Source: LTA: Padel vs tennis; LTA Padel: Pickleball vs padel.
Decided to give padel a go? Start with how to play padel and the rules and scoring.
Frequently asked questions
Is padel easier than tennis?
Generally, yes. The smaller court, underarm serve and slower, lower-pressure ball make it easier to start and keep rallies going. Source: LTA: Padel vs tennis.
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. They use different courts, equipment and rules. Padel is played on an enclosed court with walls in play; pickleball is played on an open court with a paddle and plastic ball. Source: LTA Padel: Pickleball vs padel.
Which is easier, padel or pickleball?
The LTA says pickleball can be easier for beginners because of its slower pace, but both are easy to pick up. Source: LTA Padel: Pickleball vs padel.
Can you play padel on a tennis court?
No. Padel needs its own enclosed court, which is roughly 25% smaller than a tennis court. Source: LTA Padel: Padel FAQs.
Can you use tennis balls for padel?
The LTA doesn't recommend it. Padel balls have lower internal pressure, which changes the bounce. Source: LTA Padel: Padel FAQs.
