Walk past any sports venue lately and you'll probably hear the pop of a pickleball. It has grown fast in the Philippines, and many tennis players have picked up a paddle. So which one is for you?
What pickleball is
Pickleball is played with a solid paddle and a light plastic ball with holes, on a court about a third the size of a tennis court. It borrows from tennis, badminton and table tennis. Most games are doubles.
How they compare
- Learning curve: pickleball is quicker to pick up. Most people are rallying within their first session. Tennis takes longer to feel comfortable, but the skills keep growing for years.
- Court size and running: pickleball's smaller court means less running. Tennis covers more ground and gives you a bigger cardio workout.
- Equipment: both are affordable to start. Pickleball paddles and balls are simple; tennis rackets and strings have more options as you improve.
- Social side: both are very social. Pickleball's short points and doubles format make chatting easy. Tennis doubles is just as social, and singles adds a one-on-one challenge.
Why many players do both
The two sports share footwork, hand-eye coordination and court sense. Tennis players often find pickleball easy to enjoy, and pickleball players who try tennis already know how to move to the ball. Playing both keeps things fresh and gives you more people to play with.
The best court sport is the one you'll actually show up for each week.
How to choose
Choose pickleball if you want to be playing games with friends quickly, prefer less running, or are returning to sport after a long break.
Choose tennis if you want a bigger workout, enjoy a skill that keeps rewarding practice, or like the idea of singles as well as doubles.
Not sure? Try one session of each.
Find a court
Browse tennis courts by city on FlashCourt. Know a venue that isn't listed yet? Add it to FlashCourt.