No. Pickleball and padel are different sports with distinct courts, gear, and rules.
If you’ve wondered is pickleball the same as padel, you’re not alone. I coach beginners in both, and the confusion pops up every week. This guide breaks down everything in plain language. We’ll look at courts, scores, gear, play styles, and costs. By the end, you’ll know when to choose each sport, why they feel different, and how to start with confidence. is pickleball the same as padel may sound simple, but the details matter—and they’re fun to learn.
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What Exactly Are Pickleball and Padel?
Pickleball blends elements of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. It uses a solid paddle and a light plastic ball with holes. The court is small and the net is low. Games are fast, friendly, and easy to learn.
Padel is like tennis played on an enclosed court with glass walls. The ball can bounce off the walls and still be in play. You use a perforated racket with a foam core, not strings. Rallies are longer and point-building is key.
If you’re asking is pickleball the same as padel, start here: pickleball is open-court, padel is wall-based. That one contrast changes the entire feel.
Core Differences at a Glance
Think of pickleball as a quick chess match at the kitchen line. Think of padel as tennis plus billiards, using walls to set traps.
Key contrasts you’ll feel right away:
- Court and walls: Pickleball is on a 20-by-44-foot open court. Padel is on a 10-by-20-meter court with glass and mesh walls.
- Equipment: Pickleball uses a solid composite paddle and a perforated plastic ball. Padel uses a foam-core racket with holes and a low-pressure felt ball.
- Play style: Pickleball rallies revolve around dinks, drops, and volleys at the non-volley zone (the kitchen). Padel rallies use lobs, screens, and wall rebounds to construct points.
- Scoring: Pickleball games go to 11, win by 2. Padel uses tennis-style sets, usually best-of-three sets to 6 games.
- Serve: Pickleball uses an underhand serve with a two-bounce rule to start each rally. Padel serves are also underhand but bounce in the service box like tennis, and walls can be used after the bounce.
So, is pickleball the same as padel? Not once you step on court.
Rules and Scoring Compared
Pickleball rules reward control. Serves are underhand and must land in the diagonal service box. After serve and return, each side must let the ball bounce once before volleying. Only the serving team scores. Games go to 11, win by 2, and most play best two of three.
Padel scoring mirrors tennis. Points go 15-30-40, and you play sets to 6 games. Serves are underhand from behind the service line. The ball must first bounce in the service box, then it can hit the glass. You can use walls on your side to keep the ball alive.
Asking is pickleball the same as padel misses the heart of the rules. Pickleball’s two-bounce rule and kitchen shape the rally. Padel’s walls and tennis-like scoring shape the rhythm.
Courts and Dimensions
Pickleball court size is friendly. It’s 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches at the center. The kitchen is a 7-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net.
Padel courts are bigger and enclosed. They measure 10 by 20 meters (about 33 by 66 feet). Glass walls and metal fencing surround the court. The net is about 88 centimeters at center, close to 34.6 inches.
This is a key reason the answer to is pickleball the same as padel is no. The space, the walls, and the net height create two very distinct games.
Equipment and Cost Breakdown
Pickleball gear is simple. A solid paddle, a few outdoor or indoor balls, court shoes, and you’re set. Quality beginner paddles range from budget to mid-tier without breaking the bank.
Padel gear costs a bit more. A padel racket (no strings), pressurized padel balls, and shoes suited for the turf-like surface are standard. Court rentals can be higher due to space and glass enclosures.
Is pickleball the same as padel when it comes to cost? Not quite. Pickleball often wins on budget and access, at least in North America.
Play Style, Strategy, and Shot Selection
Pickleball rewards patience and touch. The soft game—dinks, drops, resets—sets up the chance to attack. You live at the kitchen line and hunt for a high ball. I teach new players to slow down, stack with a partner, and win the net.
Padel is about point construction with walls. Think angles, lobs, and screens. You can let a smash bounce off your back glass and still defend. I learned the hard way that swinging like tennis without using the wall is a fast way to lose.
So, is pickleball the same as padel in strategy? No. One prizes soft hands and net pressure. The other prizes wall savvy, patience, and lobs.
Learning Curve and Who Each Sport Suits
Pickleball is friendly to beginners. The smaller court and simple serve let you rally on day one. It’s great for families, older athletes, and anyone who loves quick wins.
Padel has a short learning curve but deeper layers. Walls feel strange at first. But once you “get” the bounce, it’s addictive. Tennis converts often pick it up fast.
Is pickleball the same as padel for beginners? Both are accessible, but pickleball is usually easier at the start.
Fitness, Pace, and Injury Risk
Pickleball is stop-and-go with lots of quick steps. Expect bursts of speed, knee flexion, and shoulder work on volleys. Start with a warm-up and ease into overheads to avoid strains.
Padel delivers longer rallies and more lateral work. The wall play reduces extreme sprints but adds constant movement. It can be gentler on joints than tennis because the court is smaller, but it still challenges your legs and core.
If you’re weighing is pickleball the same as padel in fitness benefits, both boost cardio and coordination. The feel is different, and so is the load on your body.
Popularity, Growth, and Where to Play
Pickleball is booming in the United States. Public parks, community centers, and rec clubs add lines and courts every month. Leagues and ladders are easy to find.
Padel dominates in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and growing parts of Europe and the Middle East. It’s expanding fast in the US, with new clubs opening in major cities.
Is pickleball the same as padel in availability? It depends where you live. In much of the US, pickleball is easier to find right now.
Which Should You Try? A Simple Decision Guide
If you’re still asking is pickleball the same as padel, choose based on how you like to play and learn.
Try pickleball if:
- You want fun rallies on day one with a small court.
- You enjoy soft control shots and fast exchanges at the net.
- You want low gear costs and lots of local courts.
Try padel if:
- You like strategy with walls, lobs, and angles.
- You enjoy doubles and team tactics every point.
- You want tennis vibes without the big court or heavy serve.
If you can, play both. Your skills will cross over and keep each game fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions of is pickleball the same as padel
Is pickleball the same as padel in basic rules?
No. Pickleball has the kitchen and a two-bounce rule. Padel uses walls, tennis-style scoring, and a different serve.
Do both use the same ball?
No. Pickleball uses a hard plastic ball with holes. Padel uses a pressurized felt ball, similar to a tennis ball but with lower pressure.
Is the serve the same in both sports?
No. Pickleball’s serve is underhand with contact below the waist and no wall use. Padel’s serve is also underhand but must bounce in the service box and can use the glass after the bounce.
Are the courts the same size?
No. A pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet and open. A padel court is 10 by 20 meters and fully enclosed with glass and mesh.
Which is easier for beginners?
Most find pickleball easier on day one. Padel becomes very fun after you learn to read the wall bounces.
Can I use a pickleball paddle for padel?
No. Pickleball paddles and padel rackets are built for different balls and impacts. Use the correct gear for safety and control.
Is pickleball the same as padel in scoring?
No. Pickleball goes to 11, win by 2, rally starts with the two-bounce rule. Padel uses tennis scoring with games and sets.
Conclusion
So, is pickleball the same as padel? They share a family tree, but they feel like cousins, not twins. Pickleball is quick, social, and simple to start. Padel is tactical, wall-savvy, and rich with creative shots. Try one this week and the other next week. See which smile sticks.
If you learned something here, share this with a friend, join a local session, or leave a comment with your first-match story. Your next favorite sport might be one court away.