New York City is abuzz with excitement when it comes to racquet sports. Tennis, pickleball, squash, racquetball, and padel are all making headlines, so people everywhere are eager to compare pickleball vs tennis, squash , racketball, padel, and beyond. We welcome this excitement at Advantage Tennis Clubs. That’s because every time someone picks up a racket or a paddle, this strengthens the larger racquet sports community. Moreover, whichever racquet or paddle sport a person tries first, it’s uncanny how just taking that first step seems, more often than not, to eventually coax players toward trying the timeless challenge of tennis.
Pickleball vs Tennis, Squash, & Other Racquet Sports
Pickleball
Pickleball has exploded in popularity because it’s fun, social, and easy to learn. So what stands out when we compare pickleball and tennis? For one thing, there is a subtle difference in the height of the nets. When it comes to pickleball net height vs tennis net height, the former is slightly lower. On top of that, a pickleball paddle is a bit lighter than a tennis racket. This has contributed to the game’s reputation of being especially accessible for beginners.
Can you play pickleball on a tennis court?
Pickleball and tennis courts look quite similar, so can you play pickleball on a tennis court? The answer is yes — just don’t do it on ours. This crossover accessibility is a big reason pickleball has blown up so quickly in the culture, and we welcome it.
In our experience too, players who start with pickleball often develop an appetite for the greater challenge and deeper strategy of tennis.
Racquetball and Squash
To explore another classic racquet sports comparison, let’s consider racquetball vs tennis. Racquetball is played indoors on a walled court. The difference between a racquetball racket vs tennis racket is clear: shorter racquets, faster action, and a totally different rhythm. Squash often gets compared with racquetball, but is squash the same as racquetball? Not quite. The size of a squash court is smaller, the ball is softer, and rallies are longer and more tactical. Whether it’s squash or racquetball, both deliver a great workout and keep players active.
Why Tennis Stands Apart
Tennis is the original racquet sport that ties the larger community of sports together. Playing tennis demands a level of endurance, agility, power, and strategy unmatched by any other racquet sport. But to say that tennis is tough is not to suggest that it’s is anything less than an elegant game.
Much of the beauty inherent to tennis lies in the sport’s accessibility and inclusive reputation. Tennis welcomes everyone: kids, adults, beginners, and advanced players. Whatever an individual’s background, skill, age, or athletic ability, tennis represents a lifelong pursuit that players can actively participate in from kids tennis programs all the way into old age.
At Advantage Tennis Clubs, we’re proud to have been part of more than 50 years of New York tennis history, and we’re committed to carrying that tradition forward for the next generation of players.
Celebrating All Racquet Sports
The Advantage Tennis team recognizes and respects how other racquet sports — pickleball, racquetball, squash, and padel — continue to bring new players to the court. In fact, we celebrate the diversity of these similar-but-different racquet sports.
The more people who fall in love with swinging a squash racket or pickleball paddle, the more likely they are to fall in love with tennis. And when they’re ready, Advantage Tennis Clubs will be here with expert coaching, year-round courts, and a welcoming community that’s passionate about all racquet and paddle sports.
So whether you’re trying a racquet sport for the first time or you’ve been playing tennis for years, our doors are always open. And when the time comes to dip your toes into tennis, we’ve got your game.