Pickleball and padel are two sports that many people often confuse. Both are fun, social games played on smaller courts with paddles instead of rackets. But they have very different rules, equipment, and playing styles.
What is the difference between pickleball and padel? Pickleball mixes tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played on a small open court using a flat paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Padel mixes tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court with glass walls using a solid perforated racket and a low-pressure tennis ball.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Pickleball
– Definition, Features
2. What is Padel
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Pickleball and Padel
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Pickleball and Padel
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Pickleball and Padel
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Pickleball, Padel
What is Pickleball
Pickleball is a fun sport that mixes elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It can be played indoors or outdoors on a small court with a low net. Players use solid paddles to hit a light, hollow plastic ball with holes, called a pickleball.
The game can be played by two players (singles) or four players (doubles). It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, as a backyard game for children. Later, it became so popular that in 2022, it was named the official state sport of Washington.
Pickleball has its own special rules. For example, there’s a 7-foot zone near the net called the “non-volley zone” or “kitchen,” where players can’t hit the ball in the air; it must first bounce. All serves are made underhand, and the plastic ball doesn’t bounce as high as a tennis ball. This keeps the game exciting but easy to control.
Players often use soft, careful shots called “dinks” to keep the game going and make it harder for opponents to attack. When a ball is hit too high, though, the other player can respond with a strong smash or drive.
What is Padel
Padel is a racket sport that combines parts of tennis and squash. It is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court that is smaller than a tennis court. The game uses the same scoring system as tennis but has its own special rules.
In padel, players use solid rackets without strings. The rackets are made from composite materials and have holes on the surface. The ball is similar to a tennis ball but slightly smaller. Players serve underhand, hitting the ball below waist level.
One of the most unique parts of padel is that the ball can bounce off the walls around the court and still stay in play, just like in squash. The court is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, divided by a low net. It is surrounded by glass or brick walls about 4 meters high.
Padel can be played on different surfaces such as artificial grass, plastic, or concrete. It is fast-paced and easy to learn, making it popular around the world. As of 2023, more than 25 million people in over 90 countries play padel, according to the International Padel Federation.
Like tennis, padel uses points such as 15, 30, and 40. However, when both teams reach 40 (called deuce), a “golden point” can decide the winner of that game. The team that wins this point takes the game.
Similarities Between Paddleball and Pickleball
- Both are paddle sports played with solid paddles instead of stringed rackets.
- They use a small court and a low net, similar to tennis but smaller.
- Serves in both games are underhand.
Difference Between Pickleball and Padel
Definition
- Pickleball is a paddle sport that mixes tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played on a small open court using a flat paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Padel is a racket sport that combines tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court with glass walls using a solid perforated racket and a low-pressure tennis ball.
Court Size
- A padel court is larger, about 20m x 10m, whereas a pickleball court is smaller, about 13.41m x 6.09m.
Court Layout
- A padel court has two service boxes near the net, like a tennis court, while in pickleball, the service boxes connect to the baseline instead.
No-Volley Zone
- Pickleball has a “no-volley zone” (the kitchen) that runs across the full width of the court, about 1.06m on each side of the net. Padel does not have a no-volley zone.
Walls and Surroundings
- Padel is played on a court enclosed by glass walls and a metal cage, and players can bounce the ball off the walls. Meanwhile, pickleball is played on an open court with no walls.
Rackets/Paddles
- Padel rackets are solid and perforated, made of carbon fiber or fiberglass. They are shorter and thicker than tennis rackets, with shapes designed for power or control. Pickleball paddles, on the other hand, are thin, flat, and rectangular, usually made from plastic or composite materials, and must not exceed 24 inches in total size.
Ball Type
- Padel uses a low-pressure tennis ball that bounces normally, whereas pickleball uses a light plastic ball with 26–40 holes.
Game Format
- Padel is mainly played in doubles, while pickleball can be played in both singles and doubles.
Serving Style
- In padel, serves are underhand and below waist level, and the ball must bounce before hitting the wall. In pickleball, serves are also underhand below waist level, but the ball must go diagonally over the net without touching any walls.
Scoring System
- Padel uses the tennis scoring system (15, 30, 40) and may include a “golden point” rule at deuce. Pickleball, on the other hand, uses its own unique scoring system, typically up to 11 points, and only the serving team can score.
FAQ: Pickleball and Padel
1. Is pickleball harder than paddle?
Pickleball is generally easier to learn than padel. Padel can be a bit harder because it uses walls, faster rallies, and more strategy, while pickleball has simpler rules and a smaller court.
2. Can you play pickleball on a padel court?
You can play pickleball on a padel court, but it’s not ideal. The padel court is bigger, has walls, and a different surface, so the game won’t feel the same.
3. Is paddleball similar to pickleball?
Paddleball and pickleball are somewhat similar because both use paddles and a small court, but the balls, rules, and court sizes are different.
4. Is padel in the Olympics?
No, padel is not in the Olympics yet, but it’s becoming more popular and may be added in the future.
Reference:
1. “Pickleball.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Padel.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pickleball Players” By TheVillagesFL – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Vigo Open 2019 de World Padel Tour – 38” By Harpagornis – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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