Are Pickleball and Padel the Same?

If you've ever heard of both pickleball and padel, you might be wondering—are they the same sport? While they share some similarities, they are actually quite different in terms of gameplay, court design, and equipment. Whether you're a pickleball enthusiast looking to try padel or simply curious about how they compare, this guide will break it all down for you.

• Court Differences – Pickleball courts are smaller and open, while padel courts are larger and enclosed with walls.

• Equipment – Pickleball uses a plastic perforated ball and solid paddles, while padel uses pressurized balls and perforated rackets.

• Rules & Scoring – Pickleball scores to 11 with unique rules like the "kitchen," whereas padel follows tennis-style scoring.

• Playing Style – Pickleball is about finesse, volleys, and quick reactions, while padel involves power, wall bounces, and more movement.

• Which to Choose? – Pickleball is great for quick, strategic play with less running, while padel suits players who enjoy dynamic rallies and court coverage.

Pickleball Court vs Padel Court

Pickleball Court

Played on a small court (6.1m x 13.4m), similar to a badminton court.

Has a low net (86 cm at the center, 91.4 cm at the posts).

Courts can be indoor or outdoor, usually with a hard surface.

No walls—once the ball is out of bounds, play stops.

Padel Court

Larger than a pickleball court, measuring 10m x 20m.

Fully enclosed with glass walls and mesh fencing, similar to a squash court.

The walls are part of the game—players can bounce the ball off them.

Mostly played outdoors with artificial turf or concrete floors.

Equipment Differences

Pickleball

Uses a plastic perforated ball (similar to a wiffle ball), which travels slower than a tennis ball.

Paddles are solid and flat, made from wood, composite, or carbon fiber.

Paddles are shorter and wider than padel rackets.

Padel

Uses a pressurized rubber ball similar to a tennis ball, but with lower bounce.

Rackets are solid with holes drilled through (for aerodynamics).

Padel rackets are longer than pickleball paddles, offering more power for shots.

Rules & Scoring System

Pickleball Rules

Games are played to 11 points, with a 2-point lead needed to win.

Only the serving team can score points.

There’s a special “kitchen” (non-volley zone) where players can’t hit volleys.

Fast-paced, with a focus on dinking, volleys, and quick reactions.

Padel Rules

Uses traditional tennis scoring (15-30-40-Game).

Players serve underhand, just like in pickleball.

Games are mostly played in doubles format.

The walls come into play, making for longer rallies and unique strategies.

Playing Style & Strategy

Pickleball Focuses On:

Dinking (soft shots just over the net).

Volleys and quick hand exchanges.

Strategic placement over power.

Less running compared to padel.

Padel Focuses On:

Powerful smashes and spin shots.

Wall rebounds, requiring adaptability.

Lob shots to reset points.

More dynamic movement around the court.

Which One is Right for You?

If you enjoy fast-paced, strategic net play with minimal running, pickleball might be for you. On the other hand, if you like the action of tennis but with wall bounces and more court coverage, you might love padel.

Both sports are rapidly growing worldwide and are incredibly fun to play. Why not try both and see which one suits your style best?

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