What is the Difference Between Tennis and Badminton

Tennis and badminton are two of the most popular racket sports in the world. They have several similarities, like both using a net, rackets, and two sides competing to score points. However, they are also different in how they’re played, the equipment, and the speed of the game.

What is the difference between tennis and badminton? Tennis uses a ball and is played on a larger court, while badminton uses a feathered shuttlecock and is played on a smaller indoor court.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Tennis  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Badminton
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Tennis and Badminton
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Tennis and Badminton
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Tennis and Badminton
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Tennis, Badminton

What is Tennis

Tennis is a racket sport in which two or four players strike a ball with rackets over a net stretched across a court. Basically, the goal of tennis is to hit a ball over a net using a racket, trying to land it inside the opponent’s court. Each player has to make a shot that the other cannot return. When the other user cannot hit the ball back correctly, a point is scored.

Tennis is easy to learn, fun to play, and suitable for people of all ages and skill levels. It can be enjoyed casually in a park or played professionally in major tournaments like Wimbledon and the US Open.

What is Badminton

Badminton is a racket sport played between two players or two pairs of players. The game takes place on a rectangular court divided by a net, and players stand on opposite sides. The goal is to hit a shuttlecock over the net so that it lands in the opponent’s half of the court. Each side can hit the shuttlecock only once before it must cross the net. A point is scored when the shuttlecock touches the ground on the opponent’s side.

A shuttlecock is different from a regular ball. It has a feathered design, which makes it fly quickly at first, then slow down sharply due to air resistance. Because of how the shuttle moves in the air, competitive badminton is always played indoors to avoid interference from the wind. However, many people enjoy playing it casually outdoors, in gardens, parks, or on the beach.

Similarities Between Tennis and Badminton

1. Both tennis and badminton are racket sports.
2. They are played on a rectangular court divided by a net.
3. Both can be played in singles (1 vs 1) or doubles (2 vs 2) formats.
4. The goal in both games is to hit the object (ball or shuttlecock) so the opponent cannot return it.
5. Both use rackets made with strings to strike the ball or shuttlecock.
6. Players need quick reflexes, agility, and coordination to play well.

Difference Between Tennis and Badminton

Definition

• Tennis is a racket sport where players hit a rubber ball over a net, whereas badminton is a fast racket sport where players hit a feathered shuttlecock over a net.

Equipment

• Tennis uses a rubber ball covered with felt, whereas badminton uses a shuttlecock made of feathers or synthetic materials.

Court  

• A tennis court is much larger (23.77 m × 10.97 m) and can be outdoors or indoors, whereas a badminton court is smaller (13.4 m × 6.1 m for doubles), usually indoors to avoid wind interference.

Bounce

• In tennis, the ball is allowed to bounce once on your side before you must return it. However, in badminton, the shuttlecock cannot touch the ground, and you must return it before it lands.

Racket

• Tennis rackets are heavier, with strings and a larger head, whereas badminton rackets are lighter, thinner, and more flexible to allow fast wrist movement.

FAQ: Tennis and Badminton

1. What is the difference between tennis and badminton rackets?

Tennis rackets are heavier, larger, and strung with tightly stretched strings as they are designed to hit a felt-covered rubber ball. Meanwhile, badminton rackets are much lighter, smaller, and more flexible. They are made for fast racquet swings to strike the feathered shuttlecock.

2. What is the difference between lawn tennis and badminton?

Lawn tennis uses a rubber ball, larger rackets, and a bigger open court, whereas badminton uses a feathered shuttlecock, lighter rackets, and a smaller indoor court.

3. Which is easier, tennis or badminton?

Many people say badminton is easier to pick up than tennis, especially for beginners, because the court is smaller and the equipment is lighter. But this might actually depend on one’s skills and preferences.

4. Are badminton and tennis grips the same?

No, the grips for badminton and tennis are not the same. They differ in shape, thickness, and handling. This is because the rackets, shots, and play styles are very different.

Reference:

1. “About the Game.” Badminton | Western Australia.

2. “Tennis – an overview and history of the sport.” BBC BiteSize.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Woman Wearing Black Shorts and White Crop Top Holding Tennis Racket and Tennis Ball” (CC0) via Pexels

2. “People Playing Badminton” (CC0) via Pexels