It's the fastest-growing sport in the United States: pickleball. While we in the Netherlands are mainly busy with padel, Americans have become fascinated by this cross between tennis, badminton, and table tennis in recent years. In this article, we'll therefore zoom in on this sport: pickleball versus padel: what are the differences?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
Perhaps pickleball doesn't mean much to you yet. That's why we're starting at the beginning. Pickleball is played on a court approximately 13 by 6 metres, about the same size as a badminton court. But with a lower net, 92 centimetres high. You can play it indoors or outdoors, just like padel. In the USA, there are now already 38,000 courts and around 4.8 million people who play this sport. And that's quite a lot when you compare it to the Netherlands, where we currently have 230 courts at 73 locations (2024).
Pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, with doubles being the most common. In a singles match, you are responsible for the entire court on your side of the net, meaning you need to move quickly and position yourself well to return your opponent's shots. This makes the sport significantly more demanding, much like in the case of 1 against 1 padel.
What makes the sport so popular, especially among the older generation – is that you don't have to run much. This means less chance of injuries. The average age of the players is around 38, but the largest group of players is over 55. Lately, more and more young people under 25 are also picking up the game.
Read also: Why padel for children?
Pickleball: the rules and how to play it
The basics of pickleball are quite simple. You serve the ball underhand and must hit it diagonally into the opposite service box. You can serve the ball out of your hand, or drop it and let it bounce – so, in pickleball, you are not allowed to toss the ball up!
After the serve, the ball must bounce once before the receiver can return it. The server must also let the return shot bounce before hitting it. After this initial double bounce, the ball can be played freely, including volleys, as long as you are not in the non-volley zone (kitchen). The non-volley zone is marked to prevent players from playing volleys directly at the net, which could make the game unfair by giving the opponent less reaction time. Within the non-volley zone, players are not allowed to hit the ball out of the air (volley). The ball must bounce on the court before it can be hit if you are standing in this zone. This means that if you are in the non-volley zone, you must wait for the ball to bounce before you are allowed to hit it. Violating this rule results in a fault, and the point is awarded to the opposing team. This adds an enjoyable strategic element to pickleball.
You can only score points during your own service. This makes the game exciting. The receiving side is constantly under pressure to ‘break’ the serve, take over the service turn, and score themselves. You earn a point if the opponent misses the ball, hits it out, or makes mistakes like a volley from the non-volley zone. In pickleball, you play sets to 11 points. The first side to score 11 points with at least a two-point difference wins.
When scoring points, you continue to serve from alternating positions. If you score a point, you switch sides. If you fail, it's your teammate's or opponent's turn.
What is padel?
Padel is another popular racket sport that is especially on the rise in Europe. It is essentially a kind of mix between tennis and squash. You play padel in a kind of cage with glass walls that completely surround the court. The court itself is only half the size of a tennis court. Furthermore, in padel, it's all about the glass walls. Because no: they are not just for show; you can simply bounce the ball off them to bring new, unexpected angles into play. This provides extra tactical possibilities and a dynamic playing style. Discover everything about the rules of padel here.
Read also: Is it allowed to hit the fence during padel?
Padel: the rules and how to play it
You usually play padel as a doubles match, which means there are four people on the court. The net in padel is slightly higher than in pickleball, and the ball is made of rubber, giving it a different bounce. This makes the game quite different. The rackets are also distinctive: they have holes and a rough texture, quite unlike the smooth paddles seen in pickleball. Discover everything you need to know about padel rackets here.
Similar to pickleball, in padel you also need to think smartly and tactically about how you play the ball. But instead of a low net and a small court, here you have the added challenge of the walls which can completely change your game. So, imagine playing a spinning ball in padel that rebounds off the back wall, totally unexpected for your opponents. Such a shot can give the whole game an exciting twist.
Padel lessons at Padel Mate Club in Hoorn and Amstelveen
Now comes the best part: you don't have to figure it all out yourself. At Padel Mate Club, you can simply lessen Follow to quickly master the sport. You will learn not only the basics but also how to use the walls and work smartly with your teammate. Our pros will give you handy tips, so you can hit the court with full confidence straight away. Our lessons are accessible to everyone – young and old, beginner or advanced.
Do you want to improve your level? Don't worry! We also have advanced lessons where we focus on tactics and technique. This way you'll become a real pro on the field!
Read also: Padel lessons in Hoorn: what to expect at Padel Mate Club?
Padel versus pickleball: key differences
Difference 1: Playing field and environment:
With pickleball, you play on an open court, out in the fresh air. Padel, on the other hand, takes place in a cage surrounded by glass walls. This gives padel an extra tactical dimension because you can use the walls to bounce the ball. Discover here how to determine your padel level.
Difference 2: Net and ball
The net in pickleball hangs nicely low, making it easy to reach everywhere. The pickleball is also different: a lightweight plastic ball with holes, ideal for smooth gameplay. In padel, on the other hand, the net hangs a bit higher and the ball is made of rubber, which ensures fast and heavy returns.
Difference 3: Racket:
The pickleball paddle feels a bit like an oversized table tennis bat, smooth and simple. Padel rackets, on the other hand, have holes and a rough texture, which can give the ball a special effect with every shot or smash.
Costs and essentials: what do you need to get started?
Right, you're enthusiastic. But what does it cost to get started with padel? Don't worry, it's not that much at all. Let's go over the basics.
What do you need for padel?
A racket A good padel racket costs between €50 and €100. It might seem like a significant investment, but you'll get a lot of use out of it. Of course, you can also rent a racket from Padel Mate Club if you want to try it out first before buying straight away.
Balls A set of padel balls costs about €5 to €10. These are rubber balls that are slightly softer than tennis balls, but perfect for the fast rallies you play in padel.
Shoes Invest in good padel shoes. They give you grip on the court and protect your ankles. For a good pair, you'll pay around €50 to €80.
Clothing Comfortable sportswear is perfectly fine. You don't need to buy any special outfits. Just make sure you can move around easily.
Fancy a game of paddle tennis?
After all this information, there's really only one thing left to do: try it yourself! Come along to Padel Mate Club in Amstelveen or Hoorn and experience why padel is so incredibly popular. Whether you come to play a game with friends or book a lesson straight away, we have enough courts available for you and your Mates. Book your padel court here. Do you want to learn to play padel really well? Book a lesson with one of our pros!
See you on the track!