Pickleball is a great sport for all ages, and it’s becoming increasingly popular across the country. If you’re looking for a great place to play pickleball, why not try a tennis court?
Considering tennis is one of the inspirations of pickleball, it’s not uncommon for players to use tennis courts to play pickleball. To help get you started, we wrote down this complete guide to help you play pickleball on a tennis court!
Benefits of Playing Pickleball on A Tennis Court
Pickleball is a game that is a combination of tennis, table tennis, and badminton.
One great benefit of playing pickleball on a tennis court is that it costs less to get started with equipment than tennis. Pickleball paddles and balls are cheaper than their tennis counterparts. Additionally, the pickleball net is lower than a tennis net, making it easier to play for people with less experience or skills.
Setting up The Net for Pickleball on A Tennis Court
The first and most important thing you will need is a net. Luckily, most tennis courts already have nets set up, all you need to do is adjust the height for pickleball.
The official height for a pickleball net is 34 inches, while the official tennis net is 36 inches tall. You can easily adjust and lower the net to 34 inches by loosening the wire that’s holding it on either pole. 
The downside of this is that the net will have to sag to reach 34 inches. If you care more about a straight net rather than the 2 inches of height from a tennis net, then feel free to keep the net straight and 36 inches high.
If you don’t have access to poles and nets, you can always buy a portable net online that will work just as well.
Next up are the court size and dimensions.
Is a Pickleball Court the Same as a Tennis Court?
The answer is both yes and no. A pickleball court is significantly smaller than a tennis court.
A standard tennis court measures 78 by 36 feet, while a standard pickleball court measures 44 by 20 feet. So if you want to convert your existing tennis court into an official pickleball court. You will need to mark off these new boundaries using tape or chalk.
This means 22 feet from the net to the back for the length of the court. And, 10 feet from the center of the net to the left and right for the width.
Painting Pickleball Lines on A Tennis Court
You can mark the pickleball court with tape, chalk, or even plastic cones for a more temporary solution. Just follow the instructions and dimensions in the picture we provided above. From there, you can also permanently paint these lines so your tennis court can double as a pickleball court.
Here are some additional tips for painting pickleball lines on a tennis court:
- Use a high-quality pickleball court paint. This type of paint is specifically designed for pickleball courts and is more durable than regular paint.
- Apply the paint in two thin coats. This will help to ensure that the paint is evenly distributed and that there are no drips or runs.
- Allow the paint to dry completely between coats.
- If you are painting on a hot day, be sure to work in the shade. This will help to prevent the paint from drying too quickly and becoming sticky.
- Once the paint is dry, remove the masking tape carefully.
Make sure that everyone understands what counts as an “in” shot where it lands within the playing zone versus an “out” shot where it lands outside of the designated area. This part is a bit confusing at first, especially if what you’re using to mark the court isn’t very clear.
Of course, make sure that you don’t use permanent methods like paint, permanent markers, or sharp objects to draw a line on the surface of the court.
Playing Pickleball on A Tennis Court
Now that you have everything set up, it’s time to start playing.
If you’re new to the game, we’ve published a thorough guide on all the rules of pickleball. We’ve also published other guides, such as how to serve.
If you’re lucky enough to have access to an open tennis court in your area. Be sure to check with your local park district or recreation department ahead of time to make sure it’s open during certain hours.
Most courts are open during daylight hours, but it never hurts to double-check! If there aren’t any other players using the court when you arrive. Feel free to set up your own net and start playing!
Tips for Playing Pickleball on Tennis Court
There are several things that athletes should keep in mind when playing pickleball on the tennis court.
- Tennis courts are generally made of more abrasive and toucher material than pickleball courts. This will make the ball harder to control.
- Be light on your feet when playing. Tennis courts are denser than pickleball courts, being made of dense material such as clay, concrete, or asphalt. Pickleball courts are typically made of concrete, asphalt, or a softer material such as sand. This means that your feet will fatigue faster than on a regular pickleball court.
- Lastly, if you’re playing pickleball on a community tennis court, always clean up after you’re done. Whether that’s removing chalk, peeling off the tape, or cleaning up the cones.
Is Pickleball Harmful to Tennis Courts?
Pickleball is often compared to tennis, and courts designed for tennis may not always be suitable for this new activity. The surface of courts for pickleball is different than those used for lawn tennis, but playing the two on the same court isn’t harmful to both sports.
Additionally, some clubs may even promote mixed use in an effort to draw more attention.
Conclusion
Playing pickleball on a tennis court is an excellent way of enjoying this popular sport without needing access to its own dedicated facility or equipment.
Although you’ll need minor modifications such as adjusting the net and marking out the dimensions of the court. Athletes can begin enjoying their favorite sport from any available open-court space in their area. Whether it’s at your local park district or recreation department or just at an empty neighborhood field
Don’t hesitate to get out there and start having fun today! And remember, always show respect towards fellow players and give them their turns too! Happy Pickling!
