Pickleball and padel have grown quickly alongside traditional tennis.
Each offers something different.
Courts and equipment
- ▸Tennis — large court, strung rackets, pressurised ball
- ▸Pickleball — badminton-sized court, solid paddles, plastic ball with holes
- ▸Padel — enclosed court with glass walls, solid perforated rackets, low-pressure ball
Learning curve
Pickleball and padel are generally easier for beginners to start rallying quickly. Tennis requires more technique to get going.
Scoring
Padel uses tennis scoring. Pickleball typically uses points to 11, with only the serving side scoring in traditional rules. See our guides on padel and pickleball.
Which should you try?
If you want a quick, social game that is easy to pick up at any age, pickleball is a strong choice. If you enjoy using walls and longer tactical rallies, padel is fun and very social. If you want a sport with a deep competitive pathway, plenty of public courts in many places, and decades of coaching resources, tennis is hard to beat. Many players enjoy more than one.
This is general sports information and commentary. Rules, schedules, and records change — check official league, federation, and event sources for the latest details. Consult a qualified coach or medical professional before starting a new training programme.
Social aspect
Padel is usually played in doubles; pickleball is commonly doubles too. Both are known for social play.