PickleBall and Tennis

TennisDawg

TennisDawg

Hall of Fame
I've been playing Tennis for quite some time. I actually only play matches about once per week, but practice 3 times per week (serves, backboard, ball machine). For a few years now, I've been mixing in pickleball.
I've noticed a few problems when I play tennis after playing Pickleball. Late hits on my volleys, and slow preparation on my ground strokes.
Pickleball does not compare to Tennis as far as a true sport, but it's a good social game and easy to learn with lots of playing opportunities. Anyone else play both sports and do you find Pickleball can mess with your tennis game.
 
Yeah, the same thing happens to me. That's why I try not to play too many racquet sports (other than tennis), like badminton or pickleball.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My club is offering a free pickleball cllinic with a pro on Sunday. The pickleball guys are taking over. The population is aging, and tennis is a difficult sport to learn. Rec players still have incorrect strokes and ridiculous serves after 30 years, so there is no hope for them.
 
TennisDawg said:
I've been playing Tennis for quite some time. I actually only play matches about once per week, but practice 3 times per week (serves, backboard, ball machine). For a few years now, I've been mixing in pickleball.
I've noticed a few problems when I play tennis after playing Pickleball. Late hits on my volleys, and slow preparation on my ground strokes.
Pickleball does not compare to Tennis as far as a true sport, but it's a good social game and easy to learn with lots of playing opportunities. Anyone else play both sports and do you find Pickleball can mess with your tennis game.
Click to expand...

Coincidentally, the email advertising the above clinic has this note:

Don't worry about picleball harming your tennis skills. <xxx>'s tennis ranking went up 8 places in just one year after she began playing pickleball.
 
sureshs said:
My club is offering a free pickleball cllinic with a pro on Sunday. The pickleball guys are taking over. The population is aging, and tennis is a difficult sport to learn. Rec players still have incorrect strokes and ridiculous serves after 30 years, so there is no hope for them.
Click to expand...
I can see why Pickleball is growing and even taking over. Tennis is hard to learn and takes more athletic skills. That's why it takes so long to even get to a 3.5 But PB is easy to learn a beginner can start playing a match within 30 minutes of basic instruction. PB is
Here to stay. I do it for the exercise If you want to excel you have to do a dink style play. The rules basically don't allow an overly aggressive style and to me if I play it too much it's boring. The serve rules are dorky and the game lends itsel to hitting an incorrect volley since you can't step into the volley lest you step into the no volley zone.
 
Pickleball is becoming to the USA what Table Tennis is to the Asians. A goofy rec center sport that takes a nation by storm. I hope it doesn't take over Canada the same way its booming in the US. Personally I think there are enough racquet sports already and the world didn't need one more.

What makes tennis great is that it is hard. Like golf, when you can finally figure it out and play decently you feel like you've accomplished something. I've watched high level pickleball and its just a bunch of dinking a ball around until someone gets it a little too high and then someone smashes it. I'd rather play another legitimate racquet sport like badminton or squash than pickleball. Even the sound is annoying.
 
TennisDawg said:
Anyone else play both sports and do you find Pickleball can mess with your tennis game.
Click to expand...
Benn said:
Yeah, the same thing happens to me. That's why I try not to play too many racquet sports (other than tennis), like badminton or pickleball.
Click to expand...

Depends on the individual. If your tennis strokes are grooved, I wouldn't worry about it unless you are not very athletic. Most above average athletes would be able to play more than racquet sport, I believe. Roger Federer played squash, badminton & table tennis as as a youth. He may have also played beach tennis (Smashball). I have heard that Andy Murray played squash in his youth. I'd be surprised it he didn't also try badminton.

I've not tried Pickleball but I did pick up badminton after playing tennis for 6 years. I took me a couple of months of adjustment before I could easily switch between the 2 sports. Once that happened, badminton actually started to help my tennis game. I've know several other tennis players who picked up badminton. Didn't hurt their tennis game. I have taught a number of B level badminton players to play tennis. 2 of those guys got good enough to play tennis on a community college team (4.0/4.5 NTRP). Did not hurt their badminton game.
 
Dartagnan64 said:
Pickleball is becoming to the USA what Table Tennis is to the Asians. A goofy rec center sport that takes a nation by storm. I hope it doesn't take over Canada the same way its booming in the US. Personally I think there are enough racquet sports already and the world didn't need one more.

What makes tennis great is that it is hard. Like golf, when you can finally figure it out and play decently you feel like you've accomplished something. I've watched high level pickleball and its just a bunch of dinking a ball around until someone gets it a little too high and then someone smashes it. I'd rather play another legitimate racquet sport like badminton or squash than pickleball. Even the sound is annoying.
Click to expand...
I agree about the dinking and it's always the same thing every game, you have to dump the ball into the kitchen and get to net so you can Dink. It's monotonous, that's why I limit play to once a week for about 2 hours. It has benefits for those that don't move well and it's socializing for me. If Play it too often it does mess with my tennis game.
 
If the goal is to be outdoors and have exercise in a fun atmosphere with a low risk and maintain hand-eye coordination and movement abilities, there is no reason to pick tennis over pickleball. The extra effort in tennis is really not important considering the goals.
 
Its really a THING already in Europe, they've got leagues and money tournaments, allegedly, Marcus Willlis (played Fed on 2nd round Wimbledon last year, 'member?) plays regularly.

It really seems like the closest thing to tennis there is, when you cant fit a tennis court (indoor, streets, small fields....).

Its played with kiddie 21 inch racquets and a patented foam ball that has specific weight and density, etc. I'm gonna buy some real soon and give it a go, maybe I'll even record some of the action when we get the hang of it!
 
norcal said:
I don't mock any activity that gets people outdoors and moving. Especially older folks. I have zero interest now but when I get too old for tennis (hopefully never) I will play it.
Click to expand...
With stiff strings, stiff, light racquets and the big emphasis on baseline play, tennis will be feeding more players to these other sports more quickly than ever, I fear. [emoji17]

Not to mention, that people want to do things for more like 45-60 minutes and then on to something else!
 
TennisDawg said:
I've been playing Tennis for quite some time. I actually only play matches about once per week, but practice 3 times per week (serves, backboard, ball machine). For a few years now, I've been mixing in pickleball.
I've noticed a few problems when I play tennis after playing Pickleball. Late hits on my volleys, and slow preparation on my ground strokes.
Pickleball does not compare to Tennis as far as a true sport, but it's a good social game and easy to learn with lots of playing opportunities. Anyone else play both sports and do you find Pickleball can mess with your tennis game.
Click to expand...
really? I play pickleball tourneys now and i find that I have much faster footwork and agility as well as good hands & touch. I do lack punch on my volleys playing tennis right after picklebal tho.

Play touchtennis that'll make you really good at tennis
 
Reminds me of Soft Tennis. Developed way back in the late 19th century in Japan, I believe. I had a chance to try this game in the early 1980s. Lot of fun and easier to pick up than "hard" Tennis.

 
Last edited:
I have friends who abandoned tennis for pickleball. it is HUGE in Arizona, and gaining in competitiveness with younger folks playing. I was introduced to it years back and it was a sad, lack of movement feel to it. I played it this weekend with the high school boys and they get things moving, so it can be more exciting that senior center rec play. But that is the same for tennis too.

I bought paddles and like to play, but love the openness and challenge of tennis.

I am putting in a pickleball/short court in my yard for play and volley practice though.
 
MarinaHighTennis said:
really? I play pickleball tourneys now and i find that I have much faster footwork and agility as well as good hands & touch. I do lack punch on my volleys playing tennis right after picklebal tho.

Play touchtennis that'll make you really good at tennis
Click to expand...
Yes on the volleys,when you are at the kitchen you get into a bad habit of hitting all volleys with an open stance with your body totally parallel to the net. On Pickleball you can swing at the ball with horrible form and still hit
A winning volley (if you want to call it a volley)
If you do that too many times and carry it over to tennis you learn a how to hit a weak volley. That's one reason I limit PB to a few hours a week. Would love to play touch tennis but where is it played?
 
sureshs said:
You realize the irony in your two sentences, don't you?
Click to expand...
I guess I didn't explain it well. I am not mocking pickleball I am just stating that I hope to retain enough movement (I have had two hip surgeries this year so I think about these things) to continue with tennis. If not I will happily play pickleball (which from my observation does not require nearly the movement of tennis) and other less rigorous sports. I don't look down on those who play pickleball.
 
TennisDawg said:
Yes on the volleys,when you are at the kitchen you get into a bad habit of hitting all volleys with an open stance with your body totally parallel to the net. On Pickleball you can swing at the ball with horrible form and still hit
A winning volley (if you want to call it a volley)
If you do that too many times and carry it over to tennis you learn a how to hit a weak volley. That's one reason I limit PB to a few hours a week. Would love to play touch tennis but where is it played?
Click to expand...
You can play on any badminton sized courts. Just get the stuff and play anywhere.
 
norcal said:
I guess I didn't explain it well. I am not mocking pickleball I am just stating that I hope to retain enough movement (I have had two hip surgeries this year so I think about these things) to continue with tennis. If not I will happily play pickleball (which from my observation does not require nearly the movement of tennis) and other less rigorous sports. I don't look down on those who play pickleball.
Click to expand...

I do though
 
Play red ball tennis as the kids do. They say that the older you get, the more child-like you become, with no teeth, needing diapers, etc. So red ball is good.

I am serious about this. Why learn a similar sport when tennis offers a variant which is almost the same?
 
sureshs said:
Play red ball tennis as the kids do. They say that the older you get, the more child-like you become, with no teeth, needing diapers, etc. So red ball is good.

I am serious about this. Why learn a similar sport when tennis offers a variant which is almost the same?
Click to expand...
Yea, the thing about Pickleball is the rules that force you into the dink game. You see a lot ee a lot of dorky movement and with no variety, same strategy drop shot dunk dink. I find it to be friendly the people are generally nice. Have met a lot people so that's a plus. Sorry about typos smart phone and fat fingers
 
sureshs said:
Play red ball tennis as the kids do. They say that the older you get, the more child-like you become, with no teeth, needing diapers, etc. So red ball is good.

I am serious about this. Why learn a similar sport when tennis offers a variant which is almost the same?
Click to expand...
Totally agree. I was going to post the same thing. For those who are not fast enough, why not play with the red or better yet the green dot balls? The flip side is you do need to move more since rallies will be longer.

My ohbh is never better than the day after I've hit with one of my sons using the green dot balls. The slower ball gives you time to focus on mechanics and it also translates into better play the next day when playing with regulation balls. Unfortunately the after effects don't seem to last long since I don't play regularly with those slower balls. IMO, if both players are willing to put ego aside and try something different, playing matches with the green dot ball can help a lot of 3.5/4.0s with their strokes. Especially if you're looking for alternatives to Tennis because it's too fast and uncontrollable for you, why not try this first before moving on to stuff like PB?
 
sureshs said:
There are two variants, Depends on the use: big foam ball for adults needing diapers, and smaller felt balls for those who don't.
Click to expand...
Lol, just to be safe, I would suggest big foam balls. They make for a great sponge should a guy or gal mess their pants. Heck a guy or gall should keep one handy in their tennis bag, don't you think.
 
mcs1970 said:
Totally agree. I was going to post the same thing. For those who are not fast enough, why not play with the red or better yet the green dot balls? The flip side is you do need to move more since rallies will be longer.

My ohbh is never better than the day after I've hit with one of my sons using the green dot balls. The slower ball gives you time to focus on mechanics and it also translates into better play the next day when playing with regulation balls. Unfortunately the after effects don't seem to last long since I don't play regularly with those slower balls. IMO, if both players are willing to put ego aside and try something different, playing matches with the green dot ball can help a lot of 3.5/4.0s with their strokes. Especially if you're looking for alternatives to Tennis because it's too fast and uncontrollable for you, why not try this first before moving on to stuff like PB?
Click to expand...
I was thinking of getting some racquets similar to those for touch tennis and giving it a try on a pickleball court. With the pickleballers around here that would blow some minds.
 
mcs1970 said:
Totally agree. I was going to post the same thing. For those who are not fast enough, why not play with the red or better yet the green dot balls? The flip side is you do need to move more since rallies will be longer.
Click to expand...

But the court is also smaller.

Red Stage 1 (ages 4-6)[4][5][edit]

Red Ball
Ball:

  • Color: Red & Yellow
  • Material: Foam
  • Size: larger than felt red ball
  • Compression: n/a
Racket:

  • Size: 23 inches or less

Red Court
Court:

  • Singles Dimensions: 36 feet by 18 feet
  • Doubles Dimension: n/a
Net:

  • Height: 2 feet 9 inches
Scoring:

  • Best of 3 games. 7 points per game. First to 7 wins the game.
Goals:

  • Developing basic athletic skills as well as eye / hand coordination.
 
@sureshs...good point. I was not looking at the court dimensions. If you want to play by those rules, then...yes...it will mean less running too if that's what one wants to do.
 
@TennisDawg
sureshs said:
There are two variants, Depends on the use: big foam ball for adults needing diapers, and smaller felt balls for those who don't.
Click to expand...

Never much liked hitting with the red felt balls. Prefer the foam version. Diapers are optional. Unless you're under 6 anos, 36 foot court is too short. Can use the service boxes (with a 3' net) for a 42'x27" court or a 42'x36' court.

We used the foam balls quite a bit for a quick warmup on cold nights. Have also used the green dot balls for mini-tennis or when warming up on the wall. These balls can also be used for a 60' court or a full 78' court.
 
I dunno about pickleball man. The most fun shot in tennis is crushing an overhead near the net at the feet of some hapless net guy... :P And they take that away..
 
Tried out some Tickleball now. Ball too light and doesn't bounce. Paddle does not lend to any massaging feel that tennis has. Not much opportunity for topspin.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Pros and cons of Tickleball vs Tennis:

Cons:

No feel when striking the ball
No opportunity for top spin
Cannot pickup ball by racket and shoes and bouncing it up
Much better to play ROG tennis or table tennis instead

Pros:

No stringing expenses
Can play after becoming unable to play any form of tennis (though table tennis would be a better choice)
Great way to be the popular guy or lady at the senior home
 
The fights have started! Got an email from my club about complaints by members that reserving courts for Tickleball would further reduce the opportunities to book courts for tennis. So only one court has been reserved for Tickleball during low-traffic hours on weekdays. But the choice of words was interesting: that members who did not want to participate in this "growing" sport need not be afraid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Recommend the best gear to me (Budget is no issue)
Replies
31
Views
2K
vex
vex
atatu
Sad to see former tennis player posting pics with pickleball trophies
2
Replies
73
Views
3K
Chris Wilson
C
J
Rant - Smashed a pickleball paddle today
Replies
11
Views
443
jimmy8
J
M
Is pickleball better for herniated disc than tennis?
2
Replies
65
Views
4K
EggSalad
EggSalad
konstantinos kalfountzos
Project Pickleball
Replies
42
Views
1K
konstantinos kalfountzos
konstantinos kalfountzos
Back
Top