Is Pickleball Easier Than Tennis? Pickleball vs. Tennis

While playing any physical sport, your stamina and bone health are pivotal. Recently, there has been a debate about pickleball being easier than tennis. If you are a sports lover, you may know about pickleball’s rapid popularity. Pickleball is a hybrid between tennis and ping-pong; most people consider it easier than tennis. Is pickleball easier than tennis? This debate has been ongoing for years, and most are looking for solid proof.  

Here’s a detailed guide on how pickleball is taking over tennis. 

If you need clarification on whether tennis is a better sport or pickleball is better, you are at the right place. We are discussing pickleball below and exploring a few reasons that make it better than tennis. Let’s get started! 

Reasons Why Pickleball Easier Than Tennis? 

Pickleball is growing popular rapidly because it is much easier and more engaging. Even people who love tennis prefer pickleball as it is much more accessible. If you are a tennis lover and wondering why pickleball is preferred by more than 4.2 million people now, here is why: 

Less Movement 

Many reasons make pickleball better than tennis, but less movement is one of the main reasons. Earlier, pickleball was played by older people in their 50s and 60s. This shows how easy pickleball is because tennis requires a lot of movement and stamina. 

However, pickleball is only some people’s cup of tea because it requires a certain level of promptness. You need agility to keep up and make errors. If you have strong reflexes, you can improve at pickleball and even find it easier. 

Lower Net 

Many things make pickleball, like tennis, but some rules make it distinctive. Pickleball requires the net to be lower than tennis, requiring less strength to get the ball across the net. The net is only 36 inches higher, which makes pickleball less challenging than tennis. 

On the other hand, the net is 34 inches in the center, which helps the players get less exhausted. While the net level makes the game easier, it can add more complexity. The lower height helps keep the momentum up, which makes the game even more interesting. 

Fewer Injuries 

Pickleball is one of the lighthearted games that require little skill or movement. Some people have never played pickleball before but end up mastering it in one or two sessions. While pickleball is easier, it requires attention and agility to become the best. 

While most people love pickleball for its simple gameplay, they prefer it because it is less complex. In tennis, you must run around and move a lot which can cause joint pain and knee injuries. However, pickleball does not cause any injuries and doesn’t put any pressure on your knees. Some people can get shin splints when playing pickleball if they are too aggressive. Otherwise, pickleball is one of the easiest games and demands less physical strength. 

Requires Smaller Space 

Apart from pickleball being easier to play, it is also a very accessible game. It would be best to have a proper tennis court with professional markings and a bigger space for tennis. However, you can play pickleball anywhere if the concrete ground is available. 

You don’t need professional markings to play pickleball; you can use chalk or tape to mark the 7 feet kitchen area. Pickleball tennis is usually 44 feet long, and the width does not have to be bigger. However, you need a much longer court to play tennis and a wider area to move around. 

Complexity Level 

While you don’t need any skills to play pickleball, it has some rules that you need to learn. Many people find pickleball rules quite interesting and find it much more fun. While it may be easier to learn pickleball rules, its gameplay is undoubtedly a little more complicated. 

In tennis, you don’t have to follow many rules, and the ones you must follow are easy to get the hang of. The debate about the pickleball complexity level is subjective because some people find its rules easy. 

Inexpensive Pickleball Equipment 

One thing that makes pickleball even more accessible is that it costs barely anything. If you want to play tennis professionally, you must invest in expensive rackets and need help finding good quality, affordable ones. 

A professional tennis racket will cost you more than $50, and the ball is also expensive. However, you can get the whole pickleball kit for $30. On the other hand, a good-quality pickleball paddle is available for less than $10. The affordability makes it one of the preferred sports over tennis and ping-pong. 

Is Pickleball More Fun Than Tennis? 

Tennis is one of the highly competitive sports, and many people like how competitive and aggressive it is. However, people who don’t like competitive sports always prefer pickleball over it. You don’t have to be competitive or have multiple skills to master pickleball.  

However, pickleball rules are much more than tennis, and a beginner can have difficulty remembering them. People of all ages can play pickleball as it does not require intense movement. The dinks, the volleys, the doubles, etc., make the tennis game even more exciting. 

Pickleball is best for you if you want to play a less intense game with minimum competition. You don’t have to stress about rallies or use a lot of strength to master the game. It is a perfect game for all age groups and gives you a great opportunity to socialize. 

Conclusion 

Pickleball is the fastest-growing game in the world, and there are a few reasons behind its popularity. Is pickleball easier than tennis? Most people like pickleball more than tennis because it is less competitive and requires less physical strength. However, it demands agility and requires you to have good reflexes. It is not highly competitive, but it challenges you in the right amount and pushes you.