What are the Similarities & Differences of Tennis and Pickleball?

Tennis is the main sport that Pickleball is modeled on. Sure, Table Tennis and Badminton play a large role, but Tennis is it.

Updated | 10 October 2022

So what did the inventors of Pickleball keep from Tennis and what did they readjust? Well for starters, the court dimensions. Same goes for how you strike the ball.

So let's get into the gameplay of each respective sport.

Understanding Tennis

How Are They Different?

Ball Specs (Rubber vs Plastic)

Regulation Pickleball Size

Regulation pickleballs are sized between 2.874-2.972 inches in diameter.

Regulation Tennis Ball Size

Hitting Implements (Paddle vs Racquet)

Below is an example of one of the best paddles on the market right now, Ben Johns's Hyperion CFS 16mm paddle.

Joola Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16mm

A USAPA-approved competition paddle that is ready to follow you to the top of your game.

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Court Dimensions

For those that don't know, you can fit the entire pickleball court inside of a tennis court.

Pickleball vs Tennis Professional Leagues

Pickleball has nothing on Tennis when it comes to superstars and media darlings.

Wrapping Up

Article Sources

• https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/12/sports/pickleball-leagues-app-ppa-mlp/
• https://usapickleball.org/docs/ifp/USA-Pickleball-Rulebook.pdf