Pickleball, A Tennis Player’s Perspective

When my tennis buddy invited me to join him at the local Community Centre for drop-in pickleball, I thought he was joking. I knew that recent injuries had put a dent in his tennis game, but I was unaware that he had been testing the waters with pickleball.

“But I don’t have a pickleball racquet,” I tried to weasel out of it.

“That’s not a problem; I have a spare one. Also, the Community Centre provides loaners for those who don’t have their own.” “And, by the way, it’s a paddle.”

“I think you will be good at it; you are good at the net,” he added, throwing me an incentive to show up.

Since I had no conflicts, I decided to attend the drop-in game.

My knowledge and exposure to pickleball until that point were minimal.

I remember being irritated when some of the outdoor tennis courts I played at sprouted permanent pickleball lines overnight.

Adjusting to the sound of a plastic ball hitting a wooden-looking paddle took some time. Suffice it to say that I had never really looked at it as a serious sport. The way I saw it, I had a few more years of tennis and squash left in me.

Now that I have a few games under my belt, here’s a tennis player’s perspective on pickleball.

The game

Pickleball, Have You Tried It Yet?

Pickleball is a mishmash of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, played with a perforated plastic ball. The game was conceived as a children’s backyard game, borrowing elements from other racquet sports. The name is believed to have originated from a rowing competition reference, “pickle boat,” a boat with a team of leftover rowers not picked to compete as top-tier rowers of their respective teams.

Do not let that description fool you!

Today, pickleball is considered the fastest-growing sport in the US, with nearly 5 million players wielding their paddles on indoor and outdoor courts across the country. Forbes, New York Times, NPR, and other media heavyweights write about it frequently. Celebrity sports stars such as LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Kevin Love have invested in it. Sensing the revenue potential of pickleball, Venture Capitalists have also thrown their hats into the ring. Governing bodies and national leagues have sprung up, and tournament prize monies are up.

It’s a perfect storm!

As a tennis player, the first thing that struck me was that everything related to pickleball is smaller and lighter. The racquet and balls are lighter, the court smaller, and the net lower.

Players

The adoption of pickleball over the past five years has skyrocketed, especially among the older generation. Local parks and community centres are increasingly offering pickleball courts for casual players of the game. Unlike tennis, pickleball has yet to attract a younger crop of players who seem content to leave the game to their parents and grandparents. However, that may be changing. The sudden growth in pickleball professional leagues and fans is bringing a level of “cool” factor to pickleball.

Court

Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors and uses a court the size of a badminton doubles court. Tennis hard court surfaces for outdoor play and badminton court surfaces for indoor play are the most popular surfaces currently used for the game. Singles and doubles pickleball players use the same court, making singles play substantially more challenging than the doubles version.

One unique aspect of a pickleball court is the two 7-foot “no-volley zones” on each side of the net. Two lines parallel to the net denote the zones where players cannot step in and volley the ball. The depth of the no-volley zone (also known as the “kitchen”) forces players close to the net to let the ball bounce before striking it.

For tennis players, court coverage is a breeze. Tennis shoes for outdoor play and squash or badminton shoes for indoor play would be ideal.

Net height

The height of a pickleball net is 36” at the sides and 34” at the centre. For reference, a tennis net is 42” at the sides and 36” at the centre. For tennis players, the height of the net would appear normal.

Racquets/Paddles

Paddles are made from rigid and non-compressible materials and should comply with USAP & IFP standards for tournament play. Regulation size “classic” pickleball paddles are typically 8 inches wide and 15 inches long. The combined length and width of the paddle must not exceed 24 inches, while the paddle length cannot exceed 17 inches. You can pick up a wooden pickleball paddle for under $15, while high-end, branded paddles sell for over $300.

Even though pickleball paddles are smaller and lighter, getting a feel for the paddle’s sweet spot takes time. Without strings to control strokes, initially, I found myself under-hitting the ball during serves, rallies, and drops (dinks.)

Ball

At 7.3-7.5 cm in diameter, pickleball balls are slightly larger than tennis balls and look like wiffle balls. They are made of smooth, durable molded plastic with evenly spaced circular holes. Balls with smaller holes minimize wind’s effect and are typically used for outdoor play, though any regulation ball can be used for either indoor or outdoor play.

Pickleball balls do not bounce as high as tennis balls, reducing the chances of hitting down on the ball. Pickleball rules and equipment help extend rallies and make the sport fun for players of all levels. Surprisingly, branded pickleball balls are priced higher than tennis balls. Clearly, manufacturers are cashing in on the trend.

Rules

Pickleball uses a point-on-serve scoring system vs. point-a-rally used in tennis, squash, badminton, and table tennis. Overhead serves are illegal in pickleball. Players have to serve using an underhand stroke. There is no concept of serve and volley in pickleball. Volleying the service and the service return is illegal, which limits any advantage the serving team may have. The aforementioned no-volley zone rule takes away volleys close to the net, forcing players to fine-tune their “dinks” — soft drop-like shots that clear the net and land on the opposite team’s kitchen. Here’s a short video explaining pickleball basics for beginners.

The requirement for the ball to bounce once on each side, at the start of a rally, can be confusing to tennis players who come in behind their serves. I found myself occasionally volleying balls that I should not be volleying, which resulted in lost points. The no “no-volley” zone is another adjustment tennis players must make when playing pickleball.

Cost

If you choose to play at a public court or a Community Centre, your cost can be kept very low. A paddle and a ball are all you need. Community Centres around Greater Toronto offer free loaner paddles and balls for pickleball enthusiasts at a charge of $4 for two-hour drop-in sessions. That’s an inexpensive way to pick up the sport.

Pickleball Governing bodies

The USA Pickleball Association (USAP) is the national governing body in the US, while the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) governs and promotes pickleball globally. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is the tennis equivalent.

Pickleball Professional organizations

Similar to Tennis’s ATP and Squash’s PSA, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) organizes and governs tournaments in the US and other countries. As you would expect in any burgeoning sport, there are competing tours, a growing number of players, deep-pocketed sponsors, and an increasing pot of prize money.

If you are wondering if pickleball is for you, here are some things that may sway your decision.

Pickleball has a low-cost barrier to entry and a short learning curve. Beginners can get on the court and hit a few balls without worrying about being judged. At the casual level, people of all ages can play and enjoy the game in a social setting. Public and private club courts are widely available in the US and Canada and are slowly gaining traction in other parts of the world. Tennis and squash players will find pickleball easy to pick up and less strenuous to play.

At the competitive level, pickleball can get intense. Quick hands to counter volleys and good footwork to cover the court are hallmarks of good pickleball players.

So, am I ready to give up tennis and squash and move to pickleball? No, I am not.

Would I go back to play pickleball? Yes, I would.

My friend was right. I enjoyed the fact that I could adapt to the game quickly. Now, I have to invest in a decent pickleball racquet, sorry, paddle.