Wondering what the difference is between padel and pickleball? The short answer: padel is played on an enclosed court of 20 x 10 meters with glass walls and tennis-like scoring, while pickleball is played on an open court of 20 x 44 feet (6.10 x 13.41 meters) with a solid paddle, a perforated plastic ball, a non-volley zone ("kitchen"), and typically a different scoring logic.
Although both sports are accessible and played with a racket or paddle and ball, they clearly differ in court, equipment, rules, and playing feel. In this guide, you'll discover which sport suits you best.
What is padel?
Padel is a racket sport usually played in doubles on an enclosed court. The official padel court is 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, and the walls are an active part of the game. The serve occurs after a bounce and must be hit at or below waist height. Padel also uses tennis-like scoring with 15, 30, 40, game and sets.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a court of 20 x 44 feet for both singles and doubles, with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. A typical feature of pickleball is the non-volley zone, also known as the kitchen, plus the two-bounce rule: after the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before a volley is allowed. In standard pickleball, only the serving team scores, and games usually go up to 11 points, with a 2-point difference.
The main differences between padel and pickleball
1. The court
The biggest difference is in the playing area.
Padel is played on an enclosed court with glass and fencing, and the ball may re-enter play after bouncing off the walls. The official court is 20 x 10 meters. Pickleball is played on an open court without walls, with an official playing area of 20 x 44 feet, or approximately 6.10 x 13.41 meters.
As a result, padel feels more tactical and spacious, while pickleball plays more compactly and directly.
2. The racket or paddle
In padel, you use a stringless padel racket, with holes in the face and a maximum length of 45.5 cm according to FIP rules. In pickleball, you use a solid paddle without holes, usually lighter and flatter in shape.
In practice, a padel racket often feels more powerful and stable, while a pickleball paddle is more geared towards short, precise reactions at the net.
3. The ball
Padel uses a ball that strongly resembles a tennis ball, but with lower pressure than tennis. Pickleball uses a special perforated plastic ball. This difference has a significant impact on the playing feel: pickleball often feels drier and more direct, while padel provides more bounce, speed, and variation through glass and rebound.
4. The rules
Both sports use an underhand serving motion, but the rules surrounding them differ.
In padel, the server must first let the ball bounce and then hit it at or below waist height, diagonally into the service box. In pickleball, an underhand serve or drop serve is allowed, the serve also goes diagonally, but then the two-bounce rule applies, and the kitchen plays a big role.
The scoring also differs greatly. Padel uses tennis-like scoring with games and sets. In standard pickleball, only the serving team scores, and games usually end at 11, with a 2-point difference.
5. The playing style
Padel strongly revolves around positioning, teamwork, defending via the glass, and building points. Pickleball places more emphasis on quick reflexes, placement, short exchanges, and control around the kitchen. The kitchen is an official zone 7 feet deep across the entire width of the court, where you are not allowed to volley.
Which sport is easier to learn?
Both sports are accessible, but in different ways.
Pickleball is often very easy to start with, because the court is small, the paddle feels light, and the basic rules are relatively quick to understand. Padel is also quick to learn, but the use of the walls, the position in doubles, and reading rebounds require a bit more getting used to. At the same time, these walls make padel extra dynamic and addictive for many players. The rules above explain why beginners often pick up pickleball quickly, while padel offers more growth potential in tactics.
Padel or pickleball: which sport suits you best?
Opt for padel if you like:
- doubles and teamwork
- dynamic rallies
- tactics and variety
- playing with glass and rebound
Opt for pickleball if you like:
- a more compact court
- quick reflexes at the net
- easy entry
- playing both singles and doubles
Summary
The difference between padel and pickleball mainly lies in these points:
- padel: enclosed court, use of walls, padel racket with holes, tennis-like scoring
- pickleball: open court, solid paddle, perforated plastic ball, kitchen and two-bounce rule
Neither sport is "better." They just feel different. If you're looking for more dynamism, glass play, and doubles, padel is often more your style. If you're looking for a more compact and very accessible paddle sport, then pickleball is interesting.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about padel and pickleball
What is the biggest difference between padel and pickleball?
The biggest difference is the court and the way the game is structured. Padel is played on an enclosed court with walls, pickleball on an open court with a kitchen and different rules.
Is padel the same as pickleball?
No. Both are racket sports, but they differ in court, equipment, ball, scoring, and playing style.
Is pickleball easier than padel?
For many beginners, pickleball feels slightly easier in the first sessions, but that depends on your sports background and preference. Padel requires quicker adaptation to glass, positioning, and doubles play.
Do you use the same racket for padel and pickleball?
No. Padel uses a stringless racket with holes in the face; pickleball uses a solid paddle.
Can you play pickleball in Belgium?
Yes. Pickleball Belgium currently has its own network of locations and also organizes events such as the Belgian Open.