Padel vs. Pickleball vs. Tennis: Which One Should You Try? 🎾

Hey there! 😶

So... I tried padel.

Did I regret it? No. Did I ace it? ...Sure, you can say that. 🙃 Did my whole being hurt afterward, and did I discover a new muscle every time I moved? Absolutely yes.

Am I now in my sporty girl era? Weeeell. TBD.

My cousins got into pickleball, and then we tried padel next. I went along for the experience and some quality time, plus a little exercise. I also kept missing balls that were ridiculously easy to hit. The kind of shots where you’d think, surely, even I couldn’t miss that. (I missed that... more than once.) I was so invested that I didn’t care if I had to dive for it. The commitment was there. The athleticism? Debatable. I give myself an A for effort. 🙈

With padel, pickleball, and tennis all getting so popular, I wanted to know what actually makes them different.

What makes padel different from tennis and pickleball?

Padel is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court, with a solid, perforated racquet and a ball similar to a tennis ball. The walls are part of the game, so you can use them to keep a rally going. Don’t assume a smaller court means an easy workout, though. Padel involves intermittent whole-body efforts, with repeated accelerations, decelerations, and changes of direction, which explains all my new muscle discoveries. 🫠

Is pickleball easier for beginners?

Pickleball uses a solid paddle and a lightweight plastic ball with holes, played on a court smaller than a tennis court. It blends tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and it’s relatively easy to pick up. You can’t just stand around waiting for the ball, though, because quick reactions and coordination still matter. Two things I apparently need to put on my personal development plan.

Is tennis worth the learning curve?

Tennis uses a strung racquet and a felt-covered ball on a larger court, so there’s more ground to cover, and serving and returning take practice. If you’re a beginner, give yourself time. You don’t have to look like a pro on your first day. Some of us are just trying to make contact with the ball.

So, which one should you try?

If you want a social activity with plenty of movement, padel is worth a shot. If you’d like a smaller court and a game that’s easier to learn, try pickleball. And if you enjoy building a skill and don’t mind a learning curve, tennis is a classic for a reason.

As for me, I'm glad I went with my cousins. The company made the experience fun, even if my performance left something to be desired. 😆

When I got home that night, I put Oleia Warm Mint Oil on my arms, legs, and every other protesting body part. By morning, the soreness had eased a lot, which surprised me, considering how I was moving the night before.

Will I play padel again? Weeeell. TBD. 😝

But whether you’re trying it for the first time or you’re already playing regularly, keep a bottle of Oleia Warm Mint Oil with you post-game. Your muscles will thank you. 💜

Show me your bottle and I’ll show you mine? ‘Til next time!

xo, L.

Reference:
https://www.redbull.com/ph-en/padel-vs-pickleball-vs-tennis-differences