From the tennis courts to the beaches, racquet sports are experiencing a major renaissance.
Two rising stars, Pickleball and Padel, are sweeping across the globe, capturing the attention of athletes and casual players alike. Whether it's the fast-paced action of Pickleball or the thrilling spin of Padel, these sports are rapidly gaining traction in cities and communities everywhere. But as the competition heats up, one question remains: Which of these games is truly winning over the world? Let’s take a closer look at the battle between Pickleball and Padel, and why Pickleball is quickly emerging as the ultimate racquet sport sensation.
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court with a perforated plastic ball and paddles, it is easy to learn yet offers plenty of room for skill development. Originating in the U.S. in the 1960s, it has seen explosive growth worldwide due to its accessibility and social appeal.
What is Padel?
Padel is a racket sport that originated in Mexico in the 1960s and has since become popular, especially in Spain and Latin America. It is played on an enclosed court with walls that allow for ball rebounds, similar to squash. Using solid, stringless rackets and a depressurized tennis ball, padel offers an exciting and strategic game that blends aspects of tennis and squash.
Differences
Equipment
While both sports require a ball and racket, there are several distinct differences. For example, padel uses a less pressurised tennis ball and its padel racket is perforated with a pattern of holes and can come in various shapes, based on the user’s need—diamond-shaped for power, round-shaped for control, etc.
On the other hand, all pickleball paddles have a standard rectangular shape; though they may vary in length and width, as long as both equal to 24 inches, or less, and they are not longer than 17 inches. Pickleball balls are also entirely made of plastic with 26 to 40 holes on it, ensuring that it does not bounce as high.
Rules
Padel is traditionally played as doubles while pickleball boasts categories for both singles and doubles matches.
Padel’s uniqueness shines through as players are able to hit the ball against the wall or let the ball bounce off of it to make a return. After hitting a shot to your opponent, the ball must also bounce on their side of the court before it hits the wall—if not, the shot is illegal.
Similarly, pickleball possesses its own distinctive set of rules, such as the ‘kitchen’ area: a rule that is unique to pickleball and prevents players from volleying within it. However, both pickleball and padel begin with an underarm serve diagonally into the opponent’s service box and only permit one bounce for each shot.
Playing Techniques
Both sports have their own shots that players need to recognise: for example, Padel has La Chiquita, a slow and soft shot bouncing below your opponent’s side of the net—which can be useful if they are trying to play forward and more attacking. There is also La Bandeja, a slow smash where you cut across the ball to reduce the bounce.
However, in pickleball, there are shots like the ‘dink’, which can only be used near the net, or in the kitchen area of the court. A dink is a very soft shot that just about reaches over the net, making it difficult to return—much like a drop shot in tennis.
Similarities
Accessible: Both sports are easier to pick up than other racket sports, considering that they do not require advanced skillsets to start out and they have smaller court sizes and lower ball speeds —thereby making it less intimidating for newcomers and easier for people of all ages and abilities to pick it up!
Easier than Tennis: Compared to tennis, the smaller courts and slower-paced gameplay in both pickleball and padel make them less physically demanding. Players can enjoy the sport without the steep learning curve or long rallies typical in tennis.
Accelerated Global Growth: Both sports have seen a rapid rise in popularity in recent years, expanding into new countries and communities. With international tournaments and growing media coverage, both pickleball and padel are attracting more fans and players around the world.
Good Workout: While they might not be as intense as tennis, both pickleball and padel provide great cardiovascular exercise. The quick movements, short sprints, and strategic play offer an excellent workout, helping players improve agility, coordination, and overall fitness—especially for older players who may not be able to keep up with the intensity of other racket sports!
Growing Competitive Scene: As both sports rise to global stages, their competitive scenes are correspondingly gaining traction and drawing in international talent. Seeing that even tennis stars, like Serena Williams and Andre Agassi, are dipping their toes into pickleball—padel is just behind in solidifying its own established competition circuit!
Social Sports: Both sports are often played in doubles format, which encourages social interaction. Whether it's playing with friends or making new connections, pickleball and padel are known for their friendly, community-oriented environments that appeal to people who enjoy the social aspect of sports.
In conclusion, both pickleball and padel are rapidly growing in Singapore, with more courts and communities forming across the island. These sports offer an accessible, fun, and social way to stay active, and their competitive scenes are expanding.
“But on a club level, tennis is endangered," said Novak Djokovic. “If we don’t do something about it, as I said, globally or collectively, padel, pickleball in [the] States, they’re going to convert all the tennis clubs into padel and pickleball because it’s just more economical.”
Whether you're a beginner or looking for a challenge, now’s the perfect time to join the growing pickleball or padel movement in Singapore. Grab a paddle and get in on the action today!
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