Is Padel the Same as Pickleball?

If you’ve ever walked past a court with players swinging paddles and thought, Wait, is this padel or pickleball?—you’re not alone. Both sports have exploded in popularity, but they’re about as similar as tennis and badminton. Sure, they share some DNA, but the devil’s in the details.

The Basics: What Are Padel and Pickleball?

Padel

  • Origin: Born in Mexico in the 1960s, padel is like tennis’s rebellious younger cousin who moved to Spain and became a superstar.
  • Court: Enclosed by walls (think squash meets tennis), usually about 20m x 10m.
  • Equipment: Solid paddles (no strings) and depressurized tennis balls.
  • Gameplay: Underhand serves, walls are in play, and it’s fast.

Pickleball

  • Origin: Invented in 1965 in Washington state as a backyard pastime. Now it’s the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.
  • Court: Smaller than tennis (13.4m x 6.1m), with a low net. No walls.
  • Equipment: Perforated plastic balls and paddles that look like oversized ping-pong rackets.
  • Gameplay: Serves are underhand, there’s a “no-volley zone” (the kitchen), and it’s loud—those plastic balls pop.

Key Differences Between Padel and Pickleball

1. The Court Layout

  • Padel: Walls. Enough said. You can play off them like in squash, which adds a chaotic, fun element.
  • Pickleball: Flat and open. The “kitchen” (non-volley zone) is a big deal—step in there, and you’re toast.

2. The Ball

  • Padel: Uses a tennis ball with less pressure. It bounces lower and slower.
  • Pickleball: Plastic whiffle ball. Light, bouncy, and annoyingly loud if you’re trying to nap nearby.

3. Paddles vs. Rackets

  • Padel paddles: Solid, no strings, often with holes for aerodynamics. Heavier than pickleball paddles.
  • Pickleball paddles: Lightweight, usually composite or graphite. Smaller surface area.

4. Scoring Systems

  • Padel: Uses tennis scoring (15, 30, 40, game). Matches are best of three sets.
  • Pickleball: Points only scored by the serving team. Games go to 11 (win by 2).

5. Physical Demand

  • Padel: More running, quicker reflexes (thanks to walls). It’s a workout.
  • Pickleball: Less movement, but more finesse. Great for all ages—hence why your grandma’s obsessed.

Why People Confuse Them

  1. Paddles: Both use paddles instead of rackets.
  2. Underhand serves: Neither sport allows overhand serves like tennis.
  3. Doubles focus: Both are usually played in doubles, making them social.
  4. Rise in popularity: They’re both having a moment right now.

But that’s like saying soccer and rugby are the same because they’re played with a ball.

Which One Should You Try?

Pickleball If…

  • You want something easy to pick up. The learning curve is gentle.
  • You like strategy over speed. The kitchen rule forces clever plays.
  • You’re playing with mixed ages—kids and retirees can compete evenly.

Padel If…

  • You miss the intensity of tennis but want shorter rallies.
  • You love the idea of using walls creatively.
  • You’re in Europe or Latin America (it’s huge there).

Pop Culture Status

Pickleball has become the unofficial sport of suburban dads and influencers (thanks, TikTok). Padel, meanwhile, is the cool European import—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are fans.

Final Thoughts

So, is padel the same as pickleball? Nope. Not even close. But they’re both ridiculously fun, easy to learn, and perfect for social play. Try both, see which one sticks.

And if you still can’t decide, just grab a paddle and hit something. You’ll figure it out.

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