Pickleball vs. Tennis: What’s Actually Different?

Nazim Louadah
Apr 29
3 min read

Spoiler: It’s not just smaller courts and plastic balls.

At Indianapolis Pickleball Club, we get this question all the time:“Isn’t pickleball just mini tennis?”Fair question — but it’s also like saying a taco is just a folded pizza. 😂

Sure, they both use paddles (well, rackets), balls, and nets. But once you’ve played both, you realize: pickleball and tennis are two VERY different beasts—and we’re breaking it down for you, side-by-side.

1. Court Size and Layout 📏

Tennis Court:78 feet long x 27–36 feet wide.Big, bold, and built for high-speed sprints.

Pickleball Court:44 feet long x 20 feet wide — for singles and doubles.Smaller, tighter, more strategic.

At IPC, our indoor courts are optimized for this size — which means less running, more rallying. Your knees will thank you.

2. The Net 🎯

Tennis Net Height:

3 feet in the middle,

3.5 feet at the posts.

Pickleball Net Height:

34 inches in the center,

36 inches on the sides.

A few inches might not sound like a big deal — until your drop shot just grazes the net cord and wins you the point. 😏 That lower net opens up way more creative shot-making.

3. The Gear ⚙️

Rackets vs Paddles

Tennis uses strung rackets — power + spin machines.
Pickleball paddles are solid, made of composite materials. They reward touch, angles, and feel.

Tennis Balls vs Pickleballs

Tennis balls are pressurized, bounce high, and can take a beating.
Pickleballs? Plastic with holes. They don’t bounce nearly as much — which is why dink battles at the net are a thing.

Footwear: Tennis Shoes vs Pickleball Shoes 👟

Here’s the deal:

Tennis shoes are built for longer sprints and heavier impact.
Pickleball shoes have better side-to-side support and indoor/outdoor grip variations (especially for indoor courts like IPC’s).

And yes — pickleball shoes ARE different, and they matter. Trust us.

4. Movement & Play Style 🕺

Tennis = Power + EnduranceYou’re running down the baseline, serving bombs, and grinding through long rallies.

Pickleball = Precision + ReflexesShort bursts, soft hands, net play, and strategic thinking. You don’t out-run your opponent — you out-smart them.

5. Scoring & Game Length 🧮

Tennis: Complicated. 15-30-40, sets, tiebreakers... you get it.

Pickleball: Simple. First to 11, win by 2. Only score when you serve. Fast-paced. Straightforward. Easy to pick up.

6. Accessibility & Community 🧡

Tennis is a beautiful game — but let’s be honest, it can be a bit intimidating to jump into.

Pickleball, on the other hand?It’s built for community.

Easier to learn
Lower-impact
More social
All ages and skill levels welcome

And at IPC, that vibe is built into everything we do — from open play to pizza nights to our clinics.

7. So... Why Pickleball Over Tennis? 🤔

For many players, it comes down to this:

✅ Easier to learn

✅ Less wear on your body

✅ More action in less space

✅ Way more social interaction

✅ Cheaper gear + easier access

It’s fun faster, and it keeps people coming back. Whether you’re a lifelong tennis player or totally new to racket sports, pickleball has a way of pulling you in and never letting go.