If you're a tennis player curious about pickleball, or simply wondering what the difference is between these two racket sports, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about pickleball versus tennis, from court dimensions to equipment, rules, and which sport might be right for you.

What Is the Difference Between Pickleball and Tennis?

Pickleball and tennis are both racket sports played on a court with a net, but they differ significantly in court size, equipment, rules, and playing style. Pickleball uses a smaller court, solid paddles instead of strung rackets, and a perforated plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball. Tennis uses a larger court, strung rackets, and a felt-covered rubber ball.

While tennis has been played for centuries, pickleball was invented in 1965 in Washington State, USA. Despite being the newer sport, pickleball has exploded in popularity in the UK over the past five years, particularly among tennis players looking for a more social, accessible alternative.

Court Size: Pickleball vs Tennis

Tennis Court Dimensions

•  
• Singles: 23.77m long × 8.23m wide
•  
• Doubles: 23.77m long × 10.97m wide
•  
• Total playing area: Approximately 260 square metres

Pickleball Court Dimensions

•  
• All games: 13.41m long × 6.10m wide
•  
• Total playing area: Approximately 82 square metres
•  
• Non-volley zone (kitchen): 2.13m from the net on each side

Key difference: A pickleball court is roughly one-third the size of a tennis court. In fact, you can fit four pickleball courts on a single tennis court. This smaller court size means less running, making pickleball more accessible for players of all ages and fitness levels.

Equipment: Paddles vs Rackets

Tennis Equipment

•  
• Racket: Strung with synthetic or natural strings, typically 68.5cm long, weighing 280-340g
•  
• Ball: Felt-covered rubber ball, 6.54-6.86cm diameter, pressurized
•  
• Net height: 91.4cm at the centre

Pickleball Equipment

•  
• Paddle: Solid-faced (no strings), typically 38-43cm long, weighing 200-250g
•  
• Ball: Perforated plastic ball (like a wiffle ball), 7.3cm diameter, with 26-40 holes
•  
• Net height: 91.4cm at the sidelines, 86.4cm at the centre

Material differences: Tennis rackets have evolved to use graphite, carbon fibre, and advanced composites. Pickleball paddles are made from materials like fibreglass, carbon fiber, or wood, with a solid honeycomb or polymer core. Quality pickleball paddles like Cortaire's range use premium fibreglass faces with polypropylene honeycomb cores for optimal control and power.

Rules: How the Games Differ

Scoring

Tennis:

•  
• Scoring goes 0 (love), 15, 30, 40, game
•  
• Must win by 2 points at deuce (40-40)
•  
• Set won by first to 6 games (with 2-game lead, or tiebreak at 6-6)
•  
• Match typically best of 3 or 5 sets

Pickleball:

•  
• Games played to 11, 15, or 21 points (11 is most common)
•  
• Must win by 2 points
•  
• Only the serving team can score points
•  
• Matches typically best of 3 games

Serving

Tennis:

•  
• Overhand serve from behind the baseline
•  
• Server gets two attempts per point
•  
• Serve must land in the diagonal service box
•  
• Can hit the net and continue (let serve)

Pickleball:

•  
• Underhand serve with paddle below waist level
•  
• Server gets one attempt per point
•  
• Serve must be hit diagonally and clear the non-volley zone (kitchen)
•  
• Ball must bounce once on each side before volleying begins (double-bounce rule)

The Non-Volley Zone (Kitchen)

The most unique rule in pickleball is the non-volley zone, nicknamed "the kitchen." This is a 2.13m area on each side of the net where players cannot volley the ball (hit it in the air). Players can enter this zone to hit a ball that has bounced, but cannot volley while standing in it or touching the line.

Why it matters: This rule prevents players from dominating the net and keeps rallies longer and more strategic. There's no equivalent rule in tennis.

What About Paddle Tennis? Is It the Same as Pickleball?

No, paddle tennis and pickleball are different sports. This is a common source of confusion in the UK, especially since "padel" (also called paddle tennis in some countries) has also grown rapidly in popularity.

The Difference Between Paddle Tennis and Pickleball

Paddle Tennis (Padel):

•  
• Played on an enclosed court with glass walls (20m × 10m)
•  
• Ball can bounce off the walls (similar to squash)
•  
• Uses a solid paddle with holes and a depressurized tennis ball
•  
• Almost always played in doubles
•  
• Scoring identical to tennis
•  
• More popular in Spain and Latin America

Pickleball:

•  
• Played on an open court (no walls)
•  
• Ball cannot bounce off any walls
•  
• Uses a solid paddle and plastic wiffle ball
•  
• Can be played singles or doubles
•  
• Unique scoring system (only serving team scores)
•  
• Originated in the USA, now growing globally

Key takeaway: If you're used to hitting balls off walls, that's padel. Pickleball is played on an open court more similar to tennis, just much smaller.

Difference Between Pickleball and Padel Tennis

Many UK players encounter both pickleball and padel as they're both rapidly growing sports. Here's how to remember the difference:

                                                                                                                                                                                             

Feature	Pickleball	Padel
Court	Open, 13.41m × 6.10m	Enclosed with walls, 20m × 10m
Ball	Plastic wiffle ball	Depressurized tennis ball
Walls	No walls	Glass/mesh walls, ball bounces off them
Scoring	Rally scoring to 11 (serving team only)	Tennis scoring (15, 30, 40, game)
Serve	Underhand, one attempt	Underhand, one attempt
Players	Singles or doubles	Almost always doubles

Playing Style: How Tennis Skills Transfer to Pickleball

Skills That Transfer Well

If you're a tennis player, you already have a significant advantage in pickleball:

•  
• Court positioning: Understanding angles and where to stand translates directly
•  
• Anticipation: Reading your opponent's body language and shot selection
•  
• Volleys: Net play is crucial in both sports
•  
• Spin: Ability to put topspin and slice on shots
•  
• Footwork: Split-step timing and movement patterns
•  
• Strategy: Shot selection and when to attack vs defend

What You'll Need to Adjust

•  
• Service motion: Underhand serve feels awkward at first for tennis players used to overhead serves
•  
• Backswing: Much shorter backswing needed in pickleball due to the slower ball
•  
• Power: Pickleball rewards control and placement over raw power
•  
• Reaction time: At the net, you're much closer to opponents (kitchen line is 2.13m from net vs 5.5m at tennis net)
•  
• Dinking: Soft shots over the net (dinks) are unique to pickleball and take practice

Many tennis players find they can play competitive pickleball within just a few sessions, while it might take months to reach the same relative level in tennis.

Physical Demands: Tennis vs Pickleball

Cardiovascular Intensity

Tennis: High-intensity cardio workout. Singles tennis especially involves constant running, explosive movements, and sustained rallies. Average heart rate during competitive tennis: 140-170 bpm.

Pickleball: Moderate-intensity cardio. Less running due to smaller court, but still provides good exercise. Average heart rate during pickleball: 110-140 bpm.

Joint Impact

Tennis: High impact on knees, ankles, and lower back due to running, jumping, and explosive changes of direction. Hard court surfaces increase impact.

Pickleball: Lower impact overall. Less running means reduced stress on joints. Popular among players over 50 for this reason.

Game Duration

Tennis: Singles match can last 1-3+ hours. Doubles typically 1-2 hours.

Pickleball: Games typically last 15-25 minutes. Playing multiple games in a session is common.

Social Aspect: Which Sport Is More Sociable?

One of the biggest differences between pickleball and tennis isn't technical—it's cultural.

Tennis

•  
• Often more formal, especially at private clubs
•  
• Singles play is common (1v1 can feel isolating)
•  
• Longer matches mean fewer partner rotations
•  
• Can be intimidating for beginners

Pickleball

•  
• Extremely social and welcoming culture
•  
• Doubles is the default format
•  
• Short games mean constant partner rotation and meeting new people
•  
• Beginner-friendly atmosphere
•  
• Common to play with 8-12 people rotating in and out

At clubs like Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, tennis players are discovering that pickleball sessions feel more like a social gathering than intense competition—though competitive play is certainly available for those who want it.

Cost Comparison: Getting Started in Each Sport

Initial Equipment Investment

Tennis:

•  
• Racket: £50-300 (beginner to advanced)
•  
• Tennis balls: £5-8 per can (replaced frequently)
•  
• Tennis shoes: £50-150
•  
• Clothing: £50-200
•  
• Total: £155-658+

Pickleball:

•  
• Paddle: £40-120 (beginner to advanced, like our Cortaire range)
•  
• Balls: £8-15 per pack of 6 (last much longer than tennis balls)
•  
• Court shoes: £40-100 (can use tennis shoes)
•  
• Clothing: £30-150 (more casual than tennis)
•  
• Total: £118-385

Ongoing Costs

Tennis:

•  
• Court fees: £8-25 per hour (outdoor public courts to indoor private clubs)
•  
• Coaching: £30-80 per hour
•  
• Restringing: £20-40 every 3-6 months for regular players

Pickleball:

•  
• Court fees: £5-15 per hour (often free at public courts)
•  
• Coaching: £20-50 per hour
•  
• Paddle maintenance: Minimal (no restringing needed)

Accessibility: Which Sport Is Easier to Learn?

Learning Curve

Tennis:

•  
• Steep learning curve, especially for serving and consistent groundstrokes
•  
• 6-12 months to play basic recreational rallies
•  
• Years to develop competitive skills
•  
• Technically demanding (complex stroke mechanics)

Pickleball:

•  
• Gentle learning curve, most people can rally within first session
•  
• 1-3 hours to understand basic rules and play a game
•  
• 3-6 months to play competitively at intermediate level
•  
• Simpler mechanics (shorter swings, underhand serve)

Age Accessibility

Tennis: Best started young for competitive play. Physical demands make it challenging to take up seriously after age 40-50.

Pickleball: Can be started at any age. Large percentage of players are 50+. Suitable for multi-generational family play.

Pickleball vs Tennis: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Tennis If You:

•  
• Want an intense cardiovascular workout
•  
• Enjoy the tradition and formality of tennis culture
•  
• Prefer singles play
•  
• Are young and athletic with no joint concerns
•  
• Want to compete at the highest levels (more established professional circuit)
•  
• Have access to good tennis facilities

Choose Pickleball If You:

•  
• Want a social, accessible sport
•  
• Have joint issues or want lower-impact exercise
•  
• Prefer doubles and team play
•  
• Want to improve quickly and play competitively within months
•  
• Are over 50 or want a sport that's sustainable long-term
•  
• Enjoy meeting new people through sport

Or... Do Both!

Many UK players are discovering they don't have to choose. Tennis in the summer for intense workouts, pickleball year-round for social play. Or tennis twice a week, pickleball once a week for variety.

The smaller court size means pickleball can be played indoors more easily during British winters, making it an excellent complement to outdoor tennis in summer.

Where to Play Pickleball in the UK

Pickleball is growing rapidly across the UK, with courts popping up at tennis clubs, leisure centres, and dedicated pickleball venues. Many tennis clubs—including premium facilities like Edgbaston Priory Club—are adding pickleball courts to meet demand from members.

Looking for courts near you? Check out our complete UK pickleball court directory to find facilities in your area.

Equipment Recommendations for Tennis Players Trying Pickleball

If you're a tennis player making the switch to pickleball, choosing the right paddle matters. Tennis players typically prefer:

•  
• Control-focused paddles: Thicker core (16mm) for better feel, similar to a tennis racket's control
•  
• Medium weight: 220-240g feels familiar to tennis players
•  
• Larger sweet spot: Forgiving on off-centre hits while you adjust
•  
• Fibreglass face: Provides good touch and spin, similar to tennis string feel

Our Cortaire paddle collection is designed specifically for players who value both performance and aesthetics. All our paddles feature premium fibreglass faces with polypropylene honeycomb cores, optimised for the control and feel that tennis players appreciate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a tennis court for pickleball?

Yes! Many players tape pickleball lines onto tennis courts. You can fit four pickleball courts on one tennis court. Portable nets are available for around £100-200.

Is pickleball easier on your body than tennis?

Yes, generally. The smaller court means less running and lower impact on joints. However, quick reactions at the net still require good reflexes and agility.

Can I use tennis shoes for pickleball?

Yes, tennis shoes work well for pickleball. Court shoes with good lateral support are ideal for both sports.

Is pickleball just tennis for old people?

No. While it's popular with older players due to lower impact, competitive pickleball is extremely athletic. Professional players are often in their 20s and 30s, and the sport is growing among all age groups.

Why is it called pickleball?

Two origin stories exist: either named after the inventor's dog "Pickles," or after the term "pickle boat" in rowing (a crew made from leftovers). The dog story is more popular but possibly not true.

Is pickleball becoming more popular than tennis?

In the USA, pickleball is growing much faster than tennis in terms of participation rates. In the UK, tennis is still far more established, but pickleball is the fastest-growing racket sport. Both can coexist—many players enjoy both.

Final Thoughts: Pickleball vs Tennis

The difference between pickleball and tennis comes down to court size, equipment, rules, and culture. Tennis offers tradition, intense workouts, and established competition. Pickleball offers accessibility, social play, and a gentle learning curve.

For many UK tennis players, pickleball isn't a replacement—it's an addition. The skills transfer beautifully, the social aspect is unmatched, and the lower impact makes it sustainable for decades.

Whether you're a lifelong tennis player curious about the pickleball craze, or someone trying to decide between the two sports, the best advice is simple: try both. Most leisure centres and tennis clubs now offer trial sessions for pickleball.

And if you do decide to give pickleball a try, starting with quality equipment makes all the difference. Explore our design-led paddle collection created specifically for British players who appreciate both performance and style.

Ready to try pickleball? Find your nearest court with our UK court directory.