No. Padel and pickleball are different sports with unique courts, rules, and gear.
If you’ve asked is padel the same as pickleball, you’re not alone. I play and coach both, and the overlap can be confusing. In this guide, I’ll break down the differences with clear examples, research-backed facts, and hard-won tips so you can choose the game that fits your style, goals, and budget. Stick around to learn how each sport feels on court, what to buy, and which one you’ll love more.
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Padel and Pickleball at a Glance
If you want a fast answer to is padel the same as pickleball, think cousins, not twins. Both are social, easy to learn, and great for doubles. But the courts, rules, and strategy are not the same.
Here is a quick side-by-side:
- Court and walls. Padel is played inside glass and mesh walls. Pickleball courts are open with a no-volley zone near the net.
- Scoring. Padel uses tennis-style scoring. Pickleball uses rally-by-serve scoring to 11, win by 2.
- Gear. Padel uses a foam-core racket with holes and a pressurized ball. Pickleball uses a flat-faced paddle and a plastic ball with holes.
- Style of play. Padel rewards lobs, patience, and wall use. Pickleball rewards dinks, quick hands, and kitchen control.
When people ask is padel the same as pickleball, I tell them the feel is very different. Padel flows like small-court tennis. Pickleball plays like chess at the net.
Court, Equipment, and Scoring Differences
Court size shapes the game. Padel courts are 20 meters by 10 meters, fully enclosed by glass and mesh. The walls are part of play. Pickleball courts are 44 feet by 20 feet, with clear lines and a 7-foot non-volley zone, known as the kitchen.
Gear matters too. A padel racket is solid, with a foam core and drilled holes. It is shorter than a tennis racquet. The padel ball looks like a tennis ball but has slightly lower pressure. A pickleball paddle is a composite face over a honeycomb core. It has no strings and no holes. The ball is plastic with 26 to 40 holes, and indoor balls differ from outdoor ones.
Scoring sets the tone. Padel uses tennis scoring: 0, 15, 30, 40, deuce, with tie-breaks at six-all. Pickleball uses games to 11, win by 2, and only the serving team scores a point under standard USA Pickleball rules. That is a big reason why is padel the same as pickleball is the wrong question. The point rhythm and pressure are not the same.
From my coaching notes, new players adjust to the pickleball kitchen faster than padel walls. But once the walls click, padel rallies get longer and more tactical. Official rulebooks from USA Pickleball and the International Padel Federation support these core differences in nets, serves, and scoring.
Rules and Gameplay: Walls vs. Kitchen
Both sports are doubles-first, but the rules shape how you attack and defend. This is where is padel the same as pickleball breaks down in real play.
Padel: Use the walls to reset and attack
- The serve is underhand, hit after a bounce, and must land diagonally.
- The ball can rebound off your glass wall before you hit it back.
- Smart players use side glass to turn defense into offense.
- Net play is strong, but patience wins more points than power.
Pickleball: Master the kitchen and soft game
- The serve is underhand and hit without a bounce, diagonally.
- The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve. That is the double-bounce rule.
- You cannot volley in the kitchen. Dinks, drops, and blocks rule the net.
- Hand speed and placement beat raw power, especially outdoors.
In my first month switching between both, I kept trying to step into the kitchen in pickleball. That cost points fast. Then I tried to ignore the walls in padel. That cost even more. If you ask is padel the same as pickleball, the wall-versus-kitchen contrast is the clearest no.
Learning Curve and Strategy
For beginners, pickleball often feels easier on day one. The court is small, and the rules are simple to grasp. You can rally in minutes. Padel takes a few sessions to read the glass and choose better lobs.
Strategy rewards patience in both. In padel, lob high, get the net, and use walls to reset. In pickleball, soften the ball into the kitchen, then attack high balls. When a student asks is padel the same as pickleball, I say the mindset overlaps, but the tools differ.
Tactical mistakes I see often:
- In padel, players hit too hard from the back and feed the net team.
- In pickleball, players drive third shots that should be drops.
- In both, players stand flat-footed. Split step and read the cue.
Once you see these patterns, your win rate jumps.
Fitness, Injury Risk, and Accessibility
Both sports are joint-friendly, but not risk-free. Padel has more rotational moves and lunges near walls. That can stress knees and hips if your footwork is late. Pickleball has more short bursts and paddle battles. That can stress shoulders and elbows, especially with poor mechanics.
I like both for cross-training. Padel builds stamina and shot tolerance. Pickleball builds fast hands and touch. When someone asks is padel the same as pickleball from a fitness angle, I say padel feels like interval cardio, while pickleball feels like quick-react drills.
Lower injury risk tips:
- Warm up shoulders and calves for 5 minutes.
- In padel, learn proper footwork when turning to the back glass.
- In pickleball, avoid slapping high backhands. Use smooth swings.
- Rotate shoes often. Fresh grip matters on both courts.
Sports medicine insights and pro tour data show soft-tissue overload is the main issue, not collisions. Good prep goes a long way.
Popularity, Cost, and Where to Play
Padel is huge in Spain, Argentina, Italy, and the Middle East. It is growing fast in the US, with new clubs and pro events each year. Pickleball is booming in North America, with parks adding lines and leagues weekly.
Costs vary. A quality padel racket can cost more than a top pickleball paddle. Court access also differs. Padel needs enclosed courts, which limits supply in some cities. Pickleball courts are cheaper to build and often live in public parks. If you ask is padel the same as pickleball from an access view, the answer depends on your zip code.
Where to check:
- Local clubs and rec centers
- City parks and school gyms
- Regional associations and meetup groups
- Pro events from the World Padel Tour and USA Pickleball-sanctioned circuits
Try both if you can. One session will tell you a lot.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here is a simple guide if you still wonder is padel the same as pickleball and which to play.
Choose padel if:
- You love long rallies and using walls to reset points.
- You enjoy tennis-style scoring and doubles teamwork.
- You want an aerobic workout with smart defense.
Choose pickleball if:
- You love quick hands and kitchen battles at the net.
- You want easy access in parks and community centers.
- You like soft touch, patient dinks, and sharp counters.
My advice: play both for a month. Your body and brain will tell you what fits. Many players keep both in rotation. The skills cross-pollinate in a great way.
Frequently Asked Questions of is padel the same as pickleball
Is padel the same as pickleball in terms of rules?
No. Padel uses tennis-style scoring and live walls. Pickleball uses games to 11 with a kitchen and a double-bounce rule.
Is padel the same as pickleball when it comes to equipment?
No. Padel rackets are foam-core with holes and use a pressurized ball. Pickleball paddles are flat-faced with a plastic ball that has holes.
Is padel the same as pickleball for beginners?
Not quite. Pickleball is often easier on day one. Padel takes time to learn the glass, but it becomes very rewarding.
Is padel the same as pickleball in court size?
No. Padel courts are 20 by 10 meters with walls. Pickleball courts are 44 by 20 feet with no walls.
Is padel the same as pickleball in play style?
No. Padel favors lobs, resets, and wall use. Pickleball favors dinks, drops, and kitchen control.
Is padel the same as pickleball in scoring pressure?
No. Padel has deuce games and tie-breaks. Pickleball pressure centers on holding serve and winning the soft game.
Conclusion
Padel and pickleball share social fun, fast learning, and rich strategy, but they are not the same. Walls versus kitchen, gear, scoring, and movement all set them apart. If you ask is padel the same as pickleball, the honest answer is that each scratches a different itch.
Pick one to start, then sample the other for a full racquet-life diet. Book a beginner clinic, borrow gear, and play five matches before deciding. Want more tips, gear picks, and drills? Subscribe, share your questions in the comments, and tell me which game won your heart.