Yes, You Can Play Pickleball on a Tennis Court (And Other Courts Too!)
You can absolutely play pickleball on a tennis court! It just takes a few simple adjustments to make it work. If the tennis court isn’t already marked for both tennis and pickleball, you’ll need to create a temporary setup. This can be done using removable court marking tape or chalk.
Tennis Court Vs. Pickleball Court
The size of a pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, while a standard tennis court is much larger at 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles play (or 36 feet wide for doubles). By marking the boundaries, you can transform a tennis court into a pickleball-friendly space.
The next step is adjusting the net. A tennis net is typically 36 inches high at the center, while a pickleball net should be 34 inches. If possible, lower the tennis net slightly to match pickleball regulations. Visit USA Pickleball’s temporary court setup guide for useful tips and pictures. If the net can’t be adjusted, consider using a portable pickleball net, which can be easily set up and taken down.
Benefits of Playing Pickleball on a Tennis Court
One of the best things about playing pickleball on a tennis court is the space available. You can actually fit up to four pickleball courts on one full-size tennis court. This makes tennis courts a popular choice for group play and tournaments.
Can I Play Pickleball on Any Kind of Court?
However, tennis courts aren’t your only option. According to USA Pickleball, you can set up temporary pickleball courts on a variety of surfaces, including basketball courts, volleyball courts, badminton courts, and even inline hockey rinks. Flexibility is one of the great perks of this game!
If you’re using a shared space, it’s important to clean up after your game. Make sure any temporary tape or chalk is removed so other players can enjoy the court as well.
What about Playing Pickleball on a Platform Tennis Court?
Another great option for pickleball is a platform tennis court. Unlike a tennis court, a platform tennis court already has the same dimensions as a pickleball court (20 feet by 44 feet), so no need for temporary boundary lines. The net height is typically close to pickleball standards as well.
The key difference is the surface and walls. Platform tennis is played with a gritty surface for traction and includes surrounding wire mesh walls. In standard pickleball, walls aren’t part of the game, but you could tweak the rules to incorporate them for a fun variation.
With a little creativity, you can play pickleball just about anywhere. Grab your paddles, mark those lines, and get ready for a fun game.
