Are you Team Tennis or Pickleball?
Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. Which means… It’s officially racquet sport season!
It turns out that racquet sports are not only fun, but they may help us extend our lifespan by as long as 10 years. Among the different types of racquet sports, for a third year in a row, pickleball has continued to be one of the fastest growing sports in North America. It’s relatively simple to learn, and its rules and size regulations allow players of different ages and fitness levels to appreciate the sport.
Pickleball, which closely resembles tennis in many ways, is a hybrid between table tennis, badminton, and of course, tennis. In fact, many long term tennis players are transitioning over to pickleball because of the similarities and differences between it and tennis.
Pickleball and tennis courts often appear similar to the untrained eye. They have similar surfaces, court layouts, and a net. However, the games differ in history, rules, court size, and equipment.
Read on to learn the differences between pickleball vs. tennis so you can start playing today.
Tennis vs. pickleball court sizes and surfaces
Tennis and pickleball courts have a very similar layout, but a pickleball court is much smaller. They are actually the same dimensions as badminton doubles courts. One tennis court can fit four standard pickleball courts.
Tennis can be played on various surfaces – hard, grass and clay courts. While pickleball is traditionally played only on hard courts.
Tennis courts also have tramlines on either side of the court to indicate different court sizes for singles vs. doubles games, while pickleball keeps the same court for both formats.
The pickleball court has two service boxes at the back of the court and a no-volley zone, known as ‘The Kitchen”. The net is also slightly lower in pickleball as well.
Equipment
Equipment used for tennis and pickleball can differ significantly. Tennis players use a much larger and heavier string racket and felt-covered rubber balls with a stronger bounce. Pickleball is played with a flat paddle that is smaller and lighter and is commonly made of graphite or composite materials.
Pickleball is played with a wiffle ball, which is a plastic ball with perforated holes. These balls are lighter and can move through the air a lot cleaner than a tennis ball, resulting in a slower pace.
There is also a difference in the net size. In tennis, the net is much higher and longer while in Pickleball, the net is smaller and shorter.
The Rules
Though many may think the two sports are similar, the rules of the two games are quite different. Tennis players can choose to serve over or underhand, often using complicated or aggressive serves to try and win a point, known as an “ace.”
In a pickleball match, only the serving team can score a point, and all players only serve underhand. Players also cannot return a ball by volleying over while they’re in the kitchen.
Common Injuries
Both tennis, pickleball, and other racket sports require full-body engagement, coordination, balance, and athletic movements. Your injury risk depends on various factors such as age, fitness level, agility, and use of correct biomechanics. Some of the more common injuries seen in players are:
Ankle sprain
Achilles tendon tears and ruptures
ACL or MCL injuries
Knee meniscus injuries
Knee and hip arthritis
Knee pain
Muscle tears in the lower extremity: calf, quads, hamstrings
Tennis elbow
Low back muscle strain
Plantar fasciitis
Rotator cuff tear
Wrist pain
Stress fractures
Preventative Measures
A dynamic warm-up before your practice or match is critical for preventing injuries and can help enjoy playing tennis or pickleball, pain-free. Activating your muscles can help prevent potential strains, pulls, or other muscle pain.
After playing, do a gradual cool-down routine with low-intensity cardio and major muscle group stretches. This helps prevent the buildup of lactic acid and metabolites which can lead to muscle cramping, spasms, and soreness.
It’s also vital to prioritize hydration before, during, and after your game. Especially if you’re playing outside on a warm day. Drink plenty of water and replenish your electrolytes. This helps prevent muscle cramping as a result of dehydration.
How we can help
It’s easy to overlook off-court activities such as stretching and strengthening until you sustain an injury. Instead of waiting for an injury to start addressing your body, use some of the tips above to work on preventing injuries.
Staying mindful of the preventative measures above will allow you to have more time spent on court, injury-free. It can also help improve your game and skills such as power, agility, and stability. Tennis and pickleball are lifelong sports that keep on giving, as long as you let it. Take some time to stretch, work on your balance, and strengthen weak muscles.
Whether you are a high performance athlete, or a recreational player, our therapists at Sano Wellness are passionate and dedicated about helping players of various sports prevent and recover from injuries. Our experienced team is committed and will take the time to understand your goals and injuries. All while working with you, one-on-one, to develop an individualized treatment plan to make caring for your physical and mental health a priority.